Disclosed herein are microfluidic devices that may be used to mimic human organ systems, in particular, pancreatic function, and methods of using same. In particular, disclosed are microfluidic devices that may include a first chamber having a plurality of pancreatic ductal epithelial cells (PDECs), a second chamber having a plurality of pancreatic islets, and a permeable membrane fluidly connecting the chambers. The disclosed devices and methods may be used for the study of pancreatic cell function, for the development of therapeutics, or for the development of personalized therapeutics wherein the cells of the device are obtained from an individual in need of such treatment.

A cell extruder of the present invention comprises: a pressure vessel in which a sample is dispensed; a regulator for adjusting a set pressure of nitrogen gas injected into the pressure vessel and then maintaining a constant pressure; an input valve for opening and closing the injection of nitrogen gas into the pressure vessel; an exhaust valve for removing the internal pressure of the pressure vessel; a filter holder which is provided with a membrane filter soaked with a reagent, so that the sample in the pressure vessel is fed through by the nitrogen gas and crushed into extracellular vesicles; and a collection container in which the extruded sample is stored. According to the present invention, pressure can be freely adjusted by the regulator. That is, the flow rate of the membrane according to pressure can be controlled, thus allowing the validation of a biopharmaceutical production method using an extracellular vesicle extruder. In addition, during cell extrusion, a sintered disc can be removed and cells can be extruded by using only a membrane. Vesicles can be produced within a fine pressure adjustment range (at a fine low pressure at which the membrane is not torn) in which no sintered disc is required.

Certain examples of the disclosure concern an apparatus including a microcarrier configured to receive and support attachment and growth of cells, and a magnetoelastic sensor enclosed by the microcarrier. The magnetoelastic sensor is configured to vibrate in response to an activation magnetic field, and the vibration can produce a return magnetic field having detectable field characteristics associated with the attachment or growth of the cells.

Provided herein are systems and methods for preserving and transporting tissues for transplantation. In particular, tissue to be implanted is encapsulated in an alginate gel, which is exposed to culture medium to improve cell viability and suppress inflammatory factors during long-term storage and transport.

A system, configured to facilitate processing and detection of nucleic acids, the system comprising a process fluid container and a cartridge comprising: a top layer, a set of sample port-reagent port pairs, a shared fluid port, a vent region, a heating region, and a set of detection chambers; an intermediate substrate, coupled to the top layer comprising a waste chamber; an elastomeric layer, partially situated on the intermediate substrate; and a set of fluidic pathways, each formed by at least a portion of the top layer and a portion of the elastomeric layer, wherein each fluidic pathway is fluidically coupled to a sample port-reagent port pair, the shared fluid port, and a detection chamber, comprises a portion passing through the heating region, and is configured to be occluded upon deformation of the elastomeric layer, to transfer a waste fluid to the waste chamber, and to pass through the vent region.

Disclosed is a hollow fiber filter arrangement and a bioreactor system comprising such a hollow fiber filter arrangement. The hollow fiber filter arrangement comprising: an inlet for receiving a sample to be filtered in the hollow fiber filter arrangement; an outlet for delivering of the filtered sample out from the hollow fiber filter arrangement; a bundle of elongate hollow fibers connected at a first end to the inlet and connected at an opposite second end to the outlet; and an outer housing enclosing the bundle, wherein a filtrate/waste collection space is provided between the outer housing and the at least one elongated hollow fiber, and wherein the outer housing is made from a flexible material.

The present invention relates to a cell preparation method that includes a step in which cells are applied to a polyimide porous film and cultivated, wherein the polyimide porous film is a polyimide porous film with a three-layer structure, having a surface layer A and a surface layer B that have a plurality of holes, and a macrovoid layer that is sandwiched between the surface layer A and the surface layer B, and the polyimide porous film is produced by a method including the following steps: (1) a step in which a poly(amic acid) solution comprising poly(amic acid) and an organic polar solvent is flow cast in a film shape and the result is immersed in or brought into contact with a coagulation medium to create a porous film of poly(amic acid); and (2) a step in which the porous film of poly(amic acid) obtained in step (1) is heat-treated and imidized.

The present invention relates to thin filters comprising melt electro spinning writing (MEW) fibers for capturing and culturing circulating tumor cells (CTCs). The invention further relates to processes for producing the filters, methods for capturing and culturing CTCs using the filters, kits and devices comprising the filters and uses of the filters.

A bioreactor includes a culture medium vessel housing culture medium. The culture medium vessel further includes a first side surface including a first transparent optical window; and a second side surface parallel to the first surface and including one or more sensor adapters to fix optical sensors. A cell retention vessel is disposed underneath and connected to the culture medium vessel, the cell retention vessel housing biological cells and having: a top surface that intersects a base of the culture medium vessel, and a second transparent optical window indented into the top surface at a first corner of the top surface. A semipermeable membrane is disposed at a bottom of the cell retention vessel, and a frame comprising a grid is disposed underneath the semipermeable membrane.

A cell screening device including a bottom plate, a cell placement membrane, a pair of fluid injection parts, and a flow channel, the flow channel being formed between the bottom plate and the cell placement membrane and extending in such a manner that the flow channel end parts respectively reach the fluid injection parts. In the cell placement membrane, a plurality of wells, each having a size capable of housing a single cell, and through holes are formed. In the back side of each lid, i.e., the ceiling face of the flow channel end part, a debubbling surface, which rises in an inclined or step-like manner as getting closer to a fluid injection hole, is formed.