A collection system including a storage tray and a swab positioned in the storage tray, wherein the swab is configured to collect a sample comprising one or more microorganisms. The system further includes a generally elongate storage device positioned in the tray. The storage device is configured to contain a culture medium therein and configured to receive therein at least part of the one or more microorganisms collected by the swab. The storage tray includes a first recess configured to receive the storage device in a longitudinal configuration, and a second recess configured to receive the storage device in an axial configuration oriented generally perpendicular to the longitudinal configuration.

Means which enables preparation of a thick cell aggregate by a simple process without an operation of detaching and stacking of cells is disclosed. The method for preparing a three-dimensional cell aggregate by the present invention comprises: a cell encasing step of placing a cell suspension in a cell container; and a pressure application step of applying pressure to cells in the container. The cell encasing step and the pressure application step may be carried out a plurality of times. By the present invention, a thick, robust cell aggregate can be obtained by a simple operation of applying pressure to a cell suspension or a medium containing cells.

Since the method does not require an operation of stacking a plurality of cell sheets, the cells are hardly damaged, and the conditions of the cells can be favorably maintained, so that the cells can be advantageously used as a tissue piece for transplantation.

A gas supply device for operation in an incubator allowing treatment of a culture within a shaker flask with gas independently of the composition and humidity of the gas atmosphere within the incubator individually supplies each shaker flask of the incubator with gas using a gas supply clamp detachably connected to the closure cap of each flask. The gas supply clamp has at least two elastic clamping jaws and a web connecting the clamping jaws to one another. The clamping jaws exert a clamping force on the side wall of the closure cap. The clamp is held in place by the elastic clamping jaws. Above a sterile filter in the closure cap, an individual gas atmosphere for treatment of the culture in the shaker flask is produced in a recess of the web above a gas passage in the closure cap.

An object of the present invention is to provide a transportation instrument and a transportation method that enable transportation by using a cell culture container as it is. Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a transportation instrument and a transportation method that enable supply of oxygen required for respiration of cells. Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a transportation instrument and a transportation method that enable suppression of migration of a culture medium into and out of cells caused by the influence of an increase in internal pressure with respect to the temperature during transportation. According to the present invention, provided is a cell preservation or transportation instrument including a plurality of cell storage containers, a plate which has a plurality of recesses for holding the plurality of cell storage containers therein, and a flexible material sheet which seals upper opening portions of the plurality of cell storage containers and upper side wall portions formed by side walls of the recesses of the plate and allows ventilation between an inside and an outside of the plurality of cell storage containers.

A petri dish has interlock features between the lid and dish that allow single-handed engagement of the lid with the dish by rotation, so that the lid and dish may be raised by grasping only the lid without stabilization of the dish with a second hand. Disengagement is similarly single-handed.

An automated biological growth and dispensing apparatus utilizing a modular growing tank which is removable for replacement by another growing tank. Mechanisms for the delivery of air, water and/or nutrients are adapted to permit the growing tank to be readily coupled and uncoupled for easy and inexpensive replacement. Mechanisms for agitation may be integral and removable with the growing tank or may be adapted for a quick connection and disconnection with the growing tank. The growing tank may be disposable and each new growing tank may be provided as a sealed container including a starting amount of a biomass and/or nutrient.

An open raceway algae cultivation system includes a channel configured to contain an algae cultivation fluid. The channel includes a contraction zone having a width and a depth. A pump is configured to circulate the algae cultivation fluid in the channel. A width of the contraction zone decreases leading into the entrance of the pump and a depth of the contraction zone is greater than a depth of at least a portion of the channel located outside of the contraction zone.

A cell culture device includes a main body and a plug element. The main body includes a slot, an open groove and a fluid chamber. The open groove is connected with one side of the slot. The fluid chamber is disposed inside the main body and connected with another side of the slot. The plug element includes a first cell culture chamber and a first porous membrane. The first porous membrane is disposed at one side of the first cell culture chamber. The plug element is detachably plugged into the slot. When the plug element is plugged into the slot, the first cell culture chamber is communicated with the open groove to form an open space, and the open space and the fluid chamber are separated by the first porous membrane.

The invention relates to a medium-filled Petri dish into which filters can be introduced particularly simply, and to a method for the microbiological investigation of liquids or gases by means of filtration and incubation of the filters in said Petri dishes.

Primary mammalian cell culture systems, methods of making primary mammalian cell culture systems, and methods of culturing primary mammalian cells are provided. In some embodiments the systems and methods utilize an exothermic chemical process as a heat source for culturing and shipping cultures comprising primary mammalian cells.