2D and 3D cell culture containers formed from blends of poly-L-lactide and poly-D-lactide provide growth surfaces for adherent cells and do not require surface treatment or coating to support mammalian cell growth. The cell culture containers are transparent, heat tolerant, and are environmentally degradable and suitable for composting in landfills.

A three-dimensional structure including a polymer film having a plurality of layers, wherein a microparticle is encapsulated in an internal space of the three-dimensional structure and each layer of the polymer film having the plurality of layers has mechanical strengths different from each other.

A thermophilic enzymatic biosynthesis (TEBS) device (50) produces outputs of newly synthesized substances, stabilized matter and fully recovered organic material, wherein the preferred device is a dry closet employing multistage treatment of organic solid, liquid and gaseous wastes. Said contemplated device comprises a multiphase thermophilic environment chamber (MTEC) (1) having a mixing zone (4), a cultivation zone (12), a pasteurization zone (24) and a germination zone (7) which utilizes a multiphase germination (62). The device comprises a thermodynamic pathway (29) and a functional respiration (64) which is directed toward an ammine reaction chamber (ARC) (3), which includes an oxidation surface (47) having reactivity with ammonia, producing a metal ammine complex. The device further comprises a subterranean uptake chamber (SUC) (2) which includes a plant growth medium (44) where gases received from the ARC (3) disperse to an uptake root structure (46), thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Paper supports for fluid or cells having a decreased surface area are provided. Methods of producing such support comprise contacting the support with a composition comprising sodium periodate such that the surface area is decreased. The support or a portion thereof are reduced in surface area and the reduced portion or reduced entire support is degradable. The resulting paper support may also have hydrophilic channels and/or hydrophobic barriers that are also reduced in surface area. In embodiments the support may be a micropad or support for producing a tissue have desired structure. The support is miniaturized dialdehyde paper support that is malleable and retains its structure.

A bioreactor consumable unit (50; 500) comprises a bioreactor part (60); a fluid feed container part (80) integrally connected with the bioreactor part and including at least one fluid feed container (82) in fluid communication with the bioreactor (60); and an integral pumping element (100, 110; 160, 206) configured to enable fluid to flow from the at least one fluid feed container (82) to the bioreactor (60). The bioreactor part (60) includes a bioreactor chamber (62) and a stirrer (64) for agitation of a cell culture (66) in the chamber. The pumping element comprises a combination of a syringe pump (110) and an associated three-way valve (102). The bioreactor consumable unit (50; 500) may be inserted into a receiving station (20) of a cell culture module (10) for the processing and control of a bioreaction in the bioreactor chamber (62). The provision of the fluid feed containers (82) and the pumping element (100, 110; 60, 206) as integral parts of the bioreactor consumable unit (50; 500) facilitates the set-up of the processing, because the various fluid connections between those components are already established. The syringe pump (110) provides accurate dispensing of fluids to the bioreactor chamber (62).

A thermophilic enzymatic biosynthesis (TEBS) device (50) produces outputs of newly synthesized substances, stabilized matter and fully recovered organic material, wherein the preferred device is a dry closet employing multistage treatment of organic solid, liquid and gaseous wastes. Said contemplated device comprises a multiphase thermophilic environment chamber (MTEC) (1) having a mixing zone (4), a cultivation zone (12), a pasteurization zone (24) and a germination zone (7) which utilizes a multiphase germination (62). The device comprises a thermodynamic pathway (29) and a functional respiration (64) which is directed toward an ammine reaction chamber (ARC) (3), which includes an oxidation surface (47) having reactivity with ammonia, producing a metal ammine complex. The device further comprises a subterranean uptake chamber (SUC) (2) which includes a plant growth medium (44) where gases received from the ARC (3) disperse to an uptake root structure (46), thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

A three-dimensional structure including a polymer film having a plurality of layers, wherein a microparticle is encapsulated in an internal space of the three-dimensional structure and each layer of the polymer film having the plurality of layers has mechanical strengths different from each other.

Methods and materials for making complex, living, vascularized tissues for organ and tissue replacement, especially complex and/or thick, structures, such as liver tissue is provided. Tissue lamina is made in a system comprising an apparatus having (a) a first mold or polymer scaffold, a semi-permeable membrane, and a second mold or polymer scaffold, wherein the semi-permeable membrane is disposed between the first and second molds or polymer scaffolds, wherein the first and second molds or polymer scaffolds have means defining microchannels positioned toward the semi-permeable membrane, wherein the first and second molds or polymer scaffolds are fastened together; and (b) animal cells. Methods for producing complex, three-dimensional tissues or organs from tissue lamina are also provided.

In this invention we propose a method to compose a stem cell culture niche platform, which is based on the use of the human amniotic membrane. Fluid dynamic, mechanical and topographic factors are additionally included in this niche to provide various factors essential for achieving an enhanced biomimetic microenvironment of the cultured stem cells. The amniotic membrane is mounted into various types of culture platforms to suit a wide range of research applications. The rich composition of the membrane with anti-inflammatory, anti microbial, matrix and adhesion molecules in addition to various growth factors suits its application as a complex biomimetic material. The platform includes micro channels to allow continuous exchange of media and creates a dynamic flow of the fluid surrounding the cells in an attempt to simulate the in vivo conditions in which the stem cell typically reaches its ideal proliferation, expansion or differentiation. The method disclosed herein supports a wide range of applications in stem cell research such as the investigation of the optimal conditions for stem cell culture and the effect of various medications and external factors. It can be also applied in investigating the effect of the amniotic membrane and the mechanical factors on the behavior of stem cells and cancer stem cells. Another model of the niche is proposed as an in vivo moldable and implantable carrier for delivering stem cell based therapies in a wide range of diseases especially those associated with aging or decline of specialized cell function such as diabetes, cardiovascular, neurological, hormonal, renal and liver disorders, cancer, and diseases associated with inflammation and disordered immunity. Furthermore, the lack of HLA molecules renders the membrane nave to minimize rejection, which could be valuable for transplantation purposes.

Stackable tissue culture supports, such as stackable multi-well plates with membrane bottoms are provided, which permit co-culturing of multiple physiological tissues in proximity, and are used for high throughput analysis. A biodegradable membrane may be included, which allows cell to cell contact between the different cell types/physiological tissues as the membrane degrades.