The invention relates to modeling brain neuronal disease in a microfluidic device, comprising a co-culture of iPS-derived brain endothelial cells; iPS-derived dopaminergic neurons; primary microglia; and primary astrocytes, a Blood-Brain-Barrier (BBB)-Chip and a Brain-Chip. In particular, cross-talk between glial cells (e.g. microglia and astrocytes) with neuronal cells, in further contact with endothelial cells is contemplated for use for identifying drug targets under conditions for inducing in vivo relevant neuronal inflammation, neurodegeneration and neuronal death. Thus, in one embodiment, a microfluidic Brain-Chip comprising a co-culture of brain cells is exposed to α-synuclein preformed fibrils (PFF), a type of pathogenic form of α-synuclein. Such α-synuclein PFF exposure demonstrates an in vivo relevant disease pathogenesis on a microfluidic device as a concentration- and time-controlled manner that may be used for preclinical drug evaluation for diseases related to neuronal inflammation, e.g. Parkinson's disease (PD). In some embodiments, modulation of complement in the presence of neuronal inflammation is contemplated. In some embodiments, drug delivery to brain cells across the BBB is contemplated for preclinical testing of drug efficacy for slowing or stopping neuronal inflammation and degeneration.

Example embodiments include a cell culture apparatus, methods for cell cultivation by using the cell culture apparatus, and a cell culture incubator comprising the cell culture apparatus. The cell culture apparatus comprises a plurality of cell culture modules arranged adjacent to each other. Each cell culture module comprises two or more culture medium reservoirs connected by two or more flow channels that go through a basal chamber arranged under an apical chamber. The apical and basal chambers are separated by a porous membrane. The basal chamber has a bottom part arranged higher than a bottom part of each of the culture medium reservoirs. The culture model comprises further a cavity under at least the bottom part of the basal chamber and at least one means for capturing at least one image from a bottom and/or top of the at least one cell culture module.

Provided is a cell culture test device including a plurality of well units. Each of the well units includes an inlet portion through which a first fluid and a second fluid are introduced and a bottom portion including a first sub-well in which the first fluid is accommodated. A first stepped portion protrudes toward the center of the well unit along the circumference of the inner wall of the well unit such that the well unit has a lower portion whose inner width is smaller than that of an upper portion at the inlet portion side.

Devices for treatment of cells are disclosed. The devices include an elongated housing and at least one hollow fiber semi-permeable membrane positioned within the housing having a plurality of pores dimensioned to prevent passage of the cells to be treated. Systems for treatment of cells including the device are disclosed. Methods of treating cells, including transducing cells and activating cells, are also disclosed. The methods include introducing a biosample with cells to be treated into the device, introducing media to suspend and release treated cells into the device, and discharging the treated cells from the device.

A magnetic-field generator (10) is provided to be used in construction of a cell sheet (12), and include s a magnetic circuit assembly (24) configured to generate a magnetic field for the construction of the cell sheet (12) using magnetic force caused by the magnetic field wherein the magnetic force is substantially transverse to a plane defined by the cell sheet (12), and a power control system (44) configured to generate and control electric power to magnetically charge the magnetic circuit assembly (24) using the electric power.

A device for in-vitro modelling in-vivo tissues of organs that includes a first body portion with at least one access chamber, a second body portion with at least one culturing chamber, and a culturing membrane dividing the at least one access chamber from the culturing chamber. The device further includes a third body portion with at least one actuation chamber having at least one limitation cavity, and an actuation membrane dividing the at least one culturing chamber from the at least one actuation chamber. With the device, a robust actuation system can be provided that does not depend on the mechanical properties of the actuation membrane material, nor on the pressure, and that allows to mimic three-dimensional deformations of the tissue, in particular of lung alveoli.

Fluidic devices are provided and/or configured to form and support, extractable in-situ-formed hydrogels or hydrogel membranes that reside in a hydrogel chamber formed above, and in direct fluid communication with, an underlying fluidic channel, in the absence of an intervening membrane. In some example embodiments, the integrated fluidic device may include a geometrical hydrogel retention structure that provides a restoring force to the hydrogel when fluidic pressure is applied to the hydrogel from the underlying fluidic channel, or a geometrical meniscus-pinning feature that resists flow of a hydrogel precursor solution out of the hydrogel chamber, facilitating the formation of a hydrogel membrane extending over the integrated fluidic channel. The hydrogel or hydrogel membrane may be seeded with cells by delivering a cell-containing liquid to the fluidic channel, optionally while contacting the hydrogel with media provided in a media reservoir residing above the hydrogel layer.

The invention relates to a membrane which can be used for cultivating adherent or suspension cells, in particular adherent cells, wherein said membrane allows for the adhesion and proliferation of the cells due to the irradiation of the wet or dry membrane with gamma- or beta-rays or an electron beam in a dose of from 12.5 to 175 kGy in the presence of oxygen. The resulting membrane may be used without any pre-treatment with surface-modifying substances. The invention further relates to a method for preparing said irradiated membrane which can be used for the cultivation of cells, in particular adherent cells, and to methods of using such a membrane for the cultivation of cells, in particular adherent cells.

A three-dimensional (3D) microelectrode array device for in vitro electrophysiological applications includes a substrate and micro vias extending from the bottom face to the top face of the substrate. A microneedle at each micro via extends from the bottom face upward beyond the top face and forms a hypodermic microneedle array on the top face. Metallic traces on the bottom face interconnect the hypodermic microneedles to form the 3D microelectrode array. A microheater is positioned on the bottom face of the substrate. Microfluidic ports may be formed at the substrate. Interdigitated electrodes may be formed at the substrate.

A system for growing and harvesting algae biomass includes a photo-bioreactor suitable for algae growth in water and a filter unit in fluid communication with the photo-bioreactor. An algae slurry, when at least partially contained within the photo-bioreactor, generates hydrostatic fluid pressure that exclusively drives the algae slurry to the filter unit and discharges a permeate.