Tissue-processing containers are disclosed for facilitating multistep processing of tissue. Also disclosed are systems incorporating the tissue-processing containers that include shakers, incubators, controllers, and pumps. Multistep methods are disclosed for processing tissues using the tissue-processing containers. The tissue-processing containers are specially designed to achieve efficiencies in automated tissue processing, exposure of tissues to processing media, and multistep tissue processing protocols. The described tissue-processing containers comprise a cup-like cavity comprising a middle hole covered by a mesh screen, troughs for separate processing steps, and are stackable in a substantially airtight and substantially watertight manner. Tissues for processing using the described tissue-processing containers include nerve tissue. Also described herein is a transport housing for the transport of stacks of tissue-processing containers, and which may directly incubate those containers, or which may be placed inside a separate incubator for incubating the containers.

A three-dimensional structure including a polymer film having a plurality of layers, wherein a microparticle is encapsulated in an internal space of the three-dimensional structure and each layer of the polymer film having the plurality of layers has mechanical strengths different from each other.

An insect culture maintenance system includes a sequence of open-ended cylindrical tubes [500, 502, 504, 506] joined pairwise alternately at their tops and bottoms using multiple dual-cap connectors. Each dual-capped connector has a channel from an inside of a first cap to an inside of a second cap. In use, connectors that cap the bottoms of the tubes [508, 512] are filled with insect food media [518, 520], while connectors that cap the tops of the tubes [510] are open. As a result of this design, adults pass from one tube to the next through the top dual-cap connectors, while larvae pass from one tube to the next through the bottom dual-cap connectors, resulting in propagation of subsequent generations of insects through the sequence of tubes.

Embodiments are described that relate to methods and systems for growing cells in a hollow fiber bioreactor. In embodiments, the cells may be exposed to a number of growth factors including a combination of recombinant growth factors. In other embodiments, the cells may be grown in co-culture with other cells, e.g., hMSC's. In embodiments, the cells may include CD34+cells.

The devices, methods, and compositions disclosed herein accomplish robust cell encapsulation in polymer microparticles using a vertically oriented microfluidic device. A hydrophilic polymer precursor solution is flowed into a first inlet channel, which extends inward from an upper surface of the device housing. A hydrophobic fluid is flowed into a second inlet channel, which extends inward from a lower surface of the device housing. The two inlet channels meet at a junction, and an outlet channel extends away from the two inlet channels. When the two inwardly flowing streams meet at the junction, the polymer precursor solution disperses into the hydrophobic fluid. The dispersed precursor droplets are photopolymerized into microparticles as they travel through the outlet channel. The resulting microparticles are highly uniform, and are larger than conventionally formed microparticles. Cells of varying types can be encapsulated with high viability and spatial uniformity.

One embodiment provides a commensal gut production platform for ex vivo production of human gut commensal microbiota. Another embodiment provides devices, systems and methods for ex vivo culturing of gut microflora in a system that mimics the human gut environment. The culturing of the commensal microbiota in the disclosed systems produces gut microbiota having defined characteristics and properties that can be exploited to treat various conditions in a subject.

Implementations are described that relate to methods and systems for growing cells in a hollow fiber bioreactor. In implementations, the cells may be exposed to a number of growth factors including a combination of recombinant growth factors. In other implementations, the cells may be grown in co-culture with other cells, e.g., hMSC's. In implementations, the cells may include CD34+ cells. A coated membrane includes a membrane having a first coating configured to promote cellular adhesion to the membrane and a second coating that includes a soluble protein moiety.

It is solved by the rod-shaped tubular cell structure maintaining support device for cultivating a tubular cell structure including a hollow portion inside for a predetermined period of time while maintaining the hollow portion, the tubular cell structure maintaining support device including an outer diameter insertable into the hollow portion of the cell structure, and when inserted into the hollow portion, capable of allowing the tubular cell structure maintaining support device to adhere to an inner surface of the cell structure, and a penetration conduit including openings at both ends of the tubular cell structure maintaining support device, and penetrating between the openings, wherein the tubular cell structure maintaining support device has an oxygen permeable structure from the penetration conduit to an outer surface of the tubular cell structure maintaining support device.

A cell culturing system includes a cell culturing device and a support device. The cell culturing device cultures cells by allowing a culture medium inside circulation flow paths connected to the bioreactor to flow inside the bioreactor. The cell culturing device is connected to the circulation flow paths and includes a waste liquid flow path in order to discard the liquid flowing through the circulation flow paths, and a waste liquid accommodation unit in which the liquid guided from the waste liquid flow path is accommodated. A sampling unit, in which the culture medium that is guided from the circulation flow paths to the waste liquid flow path is collected, is connected to the waste liquid flow path.

The invention relates to devices for the culture of cellular aggregates A comprising a three-dimensional network of interconnected vessels of a biocompatible liquid- and gas-permeable photo polymerised material, wherein the three-dimensional network is connected to a plurality of inlets and a plurality of outlets for the delivery of liquids, and overlayed with a secondary hydrogel network wherein the cellular aggregates are embedded. Herein defined vessels within the three-dimensional network are blocked, thereby defining at least one spatially segregated network within and structurally in contact with the three-dimensional network, wherein the at least one spatially segregated network is connected to a separate inlet and a separate outlet, allowing the supply of a liquid to a subregion within the three-dimensional network.