A microfluidic device provides high throughput generation and analysis of defined three-dimensional cell spheroids with controlled geometry, size, and cell composition. The cell spheroids of the invention mimic tumor microenvironments, including pathophysiological gradients, cell composition, and heterogeneity of the tumor mass mimicking the resistance to drug penetration providing more realistic drug response. The device is used to test the effects of antitumor agents.

The invention relates to a cellular microcompartment comprising successively, organized around a lumen, at least one layer of pluripotent cells, an extracellular matrix layer and an outer hydrogel layer. The invention also relates to processes for preparing such cellular microcompartments.

The present disclosure provides methods and systems for cell and bead processing or analysis. A method for processing a cell or bead may comprise subjecting a bead to conditions sufficient to change a first characteristic or set of characteristics (e.g., cell or bead size). Such a method may further comprise subjecting the cell or bead to conditions sufficient to change a second characteristic or set of characteristics. In some cases, crosslinks may be formed within the cell or bead.

A device for processing a sample in a liquid droplet containing a hydrophilic liquid is described. The device includes: a circumferential wall and a base including an immobilisation member. The circumferential wall and the base define a reservoir adapted to accommodate a hydrophobic medium immiscible with the liquid droplet. The medium is of a lower surface energy than a liquid of the liquid droplet. The immobilisation member includes a surface with a plurality of hydrophilic immobilisation areas and a hydrophobic area. The plurality of hydrophilic immobilisation areas is: (a) of a higher surface energy than the medium, (b) of a higher surface energy than the hydrophobic area, and (c) of a sufficient surface energy and a sufficient width to allow, in the medium, immobilisation of liquid droplets on the hydrophilic immobilisation areas via interfacial interactions. Methods of using and rinsing the device are also described.

A culture apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a supply unit, a housing, and a holding mechanism. The supply unit supplies a culture vessel with a culture medium for culturing of cells. The housing has the supply unit disposed therein and constitutes a confined space with the culture vessel. The holding mechanism is disposed in the housing and holds the culture vessel. The culture apparatus according to the present embodiment makes it possible to perform cell culturing corresponding to various purposes in the closed condition.

The present invention provides a device for producing a large number of uniform spheroids by an easy method. The spheroid-producing device (1) at least includes a first surface (11), a second surface (12), and a plurality of wall surfaces (13). The second surface (12) faces the first surface (11). The respective wall surfaces (13) constitute a plurality of holes penetrating through the first surface and the second surface. In addition, an equivalent diameter of inscribed circles of openings in the first surface (11) is greater than an equivalent diameter of inscribed circles of openings in the second surface (12).

A method comprising effecting a change in a shape of a droplet, wherein the droplet is disposed over a substrate in sensing proximity to a sensor and the droplet has a starting surface area exposed to the sensor; and producing an expanded surface area of the droplet in the sensing proximity exposed to the sensor, wherein the expanded surface area exposed to the sensor is greater than the starting surface area exposed to the sensor.

Systems are provided that provide an extended measuring range for biological assays, such as immunoassays. In one embodiment a plurality of discrete test sites is used. Data for the proportion of test sites that indicate the presence of the analyte of interest and data that provides a statistical value for a signal generated by the population of discrete test sites is gathered. The results of these digital and statistical approaches are aggregated to provide an extended dynamic range.

Provided is a method for producing a cell laminate including cell layers on both surfaces of a porous membrane, using a vessel having a bottom portion and a side wall portion standing from a periphery of the bottom portion, the porous membrane, and a holding member configured to hold the porous membrane such that the porous membrane faces an inner bottom surface of the vessel and is held at a position that does not contact the inner bottom surface, the method including culturing first cells in a liquid medium that contacts the inner bottom surface of the vessel and a surface of the porous membrane, in a state in which the porous membrane is held, by the holding member, at a position that does not contact the inner bottom surface of the vessel so as to face the inner bottom surface, and in which the bottom portion of the vessel is positioned at the upper side while the porous membrane is positioned at the lower side in a direction of gravity; and culturing the first cells at a lower surface of the porous membrane and culturing second cells at an upper surface of the porous membrane, in a state in which the porous membrane is held, by the holding member, at a position that does not contact the inner bottom surface of the vessel so as to face the inner bottom surface, and in which the bottom portion of the vessel is positioned at the lower side while the porous membrane is positioned at the upper side in the direction of gravity.

Method and apparatuses for forming gel droplets including biological tissue (e.g., cells), and in particular, methods and apparatuses for removing oil from the gel droplets comprising dissociated cells (including micro-organospheres) are described herein. Although it is beneficial to use oil in the formation of these gel droplets, and particularly micro-organospheres, oil may inhibit growth and survival of the cells within the gel droplets. The methods and apparatuses described herein may permit the removal of oil and may enhance survival and quality of the resulting gel droplets.