The invention provides a fluidic device that comprises at least two separate testing units, each of which is adapted to expose living cells to a moving fluid. The fluidic devices are useful for testing cell types such as kidney cells that are sensitive to shear stress, and can be configured for high-throughput testing. The fluidic device is adapted to receive a multi-well cell culture plate to which the living cells can be adhered or affixed. In some embodiments, flow channels in the fluidic device are positioned to expose the living cells to moving fluid, and the flow wells are adapted to provide substantially uniform shear stress across the area where the living cells are exposed to the moving fluid.

Scalable biomaterial-based bioreactors are described. In one embodiment, the bioreactor may comprise perforated plates stacked such that the assembled bioreactor has the necessary manifolds and chambers to transport gas and liquids to a biomaterial contained within the bioreactor, and to remove the reaction products. In another embodiment, single use bioreactors are described. Methods of operating the bioreactors are also described.

The invention relates to an apparatus 10 for storing and/or processing at least one medium 11, in particular a bioprocessing device, comprising at least one disposable container 1, which is designed to accommodate at least some of the at least one medium 11, and at least one overpressure protection means 5, which is fluid-connected to the at least one disposable container 1. The at least one overpressure protection means is designed, when triggered, to conduct at least some of the at least one medium 11 into an apparatus region 3a′ in front of the overpressure protection means 5 in relation to a flow direction F, in particular into the at least one disposable container 1 and/or into at least one further, second container 1a.

Methods of removing bubbles from a microfluidic device are described where the flow is not stopped. Methods are described that combine pressure and flow to remove bubbles from a microfluidic device. Bubbles can be removed even where the device is made of a polymer that is largely gas impermeable.

A method, and also a gas supply system without a separate humidifying apparatus, for supplying gas to a plurality of bioreactors, divides a constant gas stream with high distribution accuracy into a plurality of gas substreams having a mandated volume flow, which can be kept constant at the mandated level even when during gas supply there is fluctuation in the opposing pressure in the gas line to the respective bioreactor, and decouples a gas distribution from the opposing pressure by hydrostatic pressure compensation, with the gas distribution at the same time producing an obligatory humidification of the gas stream.

The instant disclosure provides a system comprising a plurality of stacked bioreactors, wherein the system is configured to provide a substantially equal flow rate of fluid and pressure drop through each of the plurality of bioreactors. In some embodiments, the flow of the fluid through each of the plurality of bioreactors is configured to generate physiological shear rates to induce a biological source material in the bioreactors to produce target biological products.

The invention concerns a cassette for cell culture comprising: an at least partially rigid housing internally defining an internal space inside which a cell culture bag defining an internal volume is arranged and attached; conduits each connected at one end to the internal volume of the bag and each having a second end situated outside the housing; and valves for enabling/preventing the flow of fluid through the conduits that are mounted on the housing.

A bioreactor assembly component can include a length of tubing having an integrated pump head along its length, with a portion of the tubing extending between the pump head and a container, such as a single-use bioreactor. The integrated pump head can be configured to engage with an external driving component to control the operation of the integrated pump head without breaching the sterility of the integrated pump head. The integrated pump head can include only components which can be gamma sterilized, allowing the bioreactor assembly component to be sterilized and stored before use. The bioreactor assembly component can be used with a control module including a pump driver configured to engage with and control the operation of the integrated pump driver, and can include components which can monitor and control the operation of a bioprocess within a single-use bioreactor.

A culture module is contemplated that allows the perfusion and optionally mechanical actuation of one or more microfluidic devices, such as organ-on-a-chip microfluidic devices comprising cells that mimic at least one function of an organ in the body. A method for pressure control is contemplated to allow the control of flow rate (while perfusing cells) despite limitations of common pressure regulators. The method for pressure control allows for perfusion of a microfluidic device, such as an organ on a chip microfluidic device comprising cells that mimic cells in an organ in the body, that is detachably linked with said assembly, so that fluid enters ports of the microfluidic device from a fluid reservoir, optionally without tubing, at a controllable flow rate.

A microfluidic device may include a microfluidic channel including an electrode placed at opposite ends of the microfluidic channel to create an electrical field within the channel and an ejection device to eject at least one cell porated within the electrical field. A cassette may include a substrate, a die coupled to the substrate, a microfluidic channel defined within the die, the microfluidic channel including a necked portion to receive a cell therein and at least two electrodes each placed at a first and a second end of the microfluidic channel to apply an electric field to the cell above a proration threshold and a cell ejection device to eject the cell from the die.