A cell culture system is provided that includes a cell culture vessel enclosing an interior configured to culture cells in liquid cell culture media, the cell culture vessel comprising a bioreactor inlet for supply of cell culture media to the interior and a bioreactor outlet for removal of cell culture media from the interior; and a media conditioning system comprising an enclosure enclosing an interior space and a gas exchange system, the gas exchange system comprising a media vessel, wherein the media vessel comprises at least one media cavity configured to contain cell culture media and a gas permeable membrane separating the media cavity from the interior space.

A gas permeable cell culture device including a container body defining an interior volume, the container body having a semi-permeable membrane defining one end of the interior volume, a fitting defining an opposing end of the interior volume, and a cell transfer conduit. The cell transfer conduit having an open end positioned within the interior volume between the semi-permeable membrane and the fitting and a radial portion disposed within the interior volume and between the open end and opposing end of the container body.

Novel methods and apparatus are disclosed for cell culture and cell recovery. The methods and apparatus simplify the process of cell separation from media, minimize potential damage to gas permeable devices during fluid handling, and allow closed system automated cell culture and cell recovery from gas permeable devices.

A thin film culture device for enumerating mold colonies is provided. The device comprises water-resistant first and second substrates with a growth region disposed therebetween, a dry, cold water-soluble gelling agent disposed in the growth region, and an effective amount of a calcium-chelating compound disposed in the growth region. The effective amount of calcium-chelating compound is capable of reducing a rate of lateral enlargement of the colony-forming unit growing in the culture device relative to the rate of lateral enlargement of a colony of the same mold species growing in an otherwise identical culture device that does not contain the effective amount disposed in the growth region, wherein reducing the rate of lateral enlargement of the colony-forming unit does not substantially delay detection of the colony. A corresponding method is also provided.

High capacity, low cost devices for use in growing monocultures of novel, previously unknown microbial species contain adhesive layers with wells covered by nanoporous membranes. The devices are placed in natural environments for cultivation of unknown microbial species.

The invention describes a gas permeable fluoropolymer and silicone material used in the construction of cell culture bags.

A flask assembly that includes: an Erlenmeyer flask; and a liner bag comprising a single opening the bag sized to fit within the flask and having a thickness from about 0.0254 mm to about 0.508 mm. The liner bag is configured for cell culturing and ease of insertion of the bag into the flask. In addition, the liner bag comprises a gas-permeable, polymeric material. Further, the liner bag can include a pocket adapted to receive a removable flask insertion element and/or at least one foldable seam configured to facilitate insertion of the bag into the flask. The liner bag can also include a vent having a gas permeability that is greater than the gas permeability of the gas-permeable, polymeric material employed in the balance of the bag.

Provided are cell plate inserts that include an interior lip and legs on a bottom side. The cell plate inserts can have a diameter that provides a snug fit within a cell plate or well. The cell plate inserts can include a cell support membrane disposed on an interior lip of the cell plate insert. The cell plate inserts can be included in systems for cell co-culture, where cells cultured in a top chamber formed by the cell plate insert do not infiltrate cells cultured in a bottom chamber formed by the cell plate insert.

A kit includes a microfabricated device having a top surface defining an array of microwells for receiving a sample comprising at least one cell, and a membrane for applying on the top surface of the microfabricated device to retain the at least one cell in at least one microwell of the array of microwells after the sample is loaded on the microfabricated device.

A perfusion bioreactor and a method for using the perfusion bioreactor for performing a continuous cell culture are disclosed. The perfusion bioreactor includes an outer vessel having a housing with a gas permeable membrane, an opening and a cavity; an inner vessel within the cavity; and a lid to cover the opening. A porous membrane within the cavity divides the cavity into inner and outer compartments. A fresh media port extends through the outer vessel or the at least one lid to receive a fresh media tube that has an end located in the inner compartment. A spent media port extends through the outer vessel or the at least one lid to receive a spent media tube that has an end located in the outer compartment. A mixer is within the inner compartment, and the porous membrane is attached to an opening within the inner vessel.