Described herein are compositions, methods, kits, and systems relating to smooth, spherical microgels which can be charge-neutral. The microgels can be made using an emulsification process. In certain aspects, charge-neutral microgels as described herein are suitable for 3D cell culture, use in perfusion bioreactors, and/or 3D printing of cells for 3D cell culture.

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 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 invention provides compositions, systems, kits, and methods for combining a. single myeloma cell and a single B-cell (e.g., from an animal exposed to a desired antigen) via discrete entity (e.g., droplet) microfluidics. In certain embodiments, a microfluidic device is used to merge a discrete entity containing a B-cell, and a discrete entity containing a myeloma cell, and a discrete entity containing gellable material, at a merger region via a trapping element in order to generate a combined discrete entity. In further embodiments, the combined discrete entity is treated such that a gelled discrete entity is formed.

The present invention relates to a low specific gravity microcarrier-based cell culture apparatus and a method of monitoring cell culture using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to four-dimensional cell culture that enables monitoring of the growth state of cells by reflecting a time factor in three-dimensional cell culture and is capable of stable cell expansion culture by minimizing change in cell characteristics.

Culturing of organized 3D networks of neuronal cells is provided. Individual neuronal cells are encapsulated in gel beads. The gel beads are self-assembled into ordered structures in a bioreactor. Subsequent culturing of the cells in the bioreactor leads to the formation of an organized 3D network of the neuronal cells. Such structures have many applications, especially for as says of neuronal network function and/or structure.

A kappa-carrageenan (Kcar) granular hydrogel devoid of a cell-toxic crosslinking agent is provided as a scaffold for maintaining and implanting cellular structures such as lumens. The lumens may be defined by cells or surrounded by cells and may have the dimensions of a blood vessel.

Embodiments described herein generally provide for expanding cells in a cell expansion system. The cells may be grown in a bioreactor, and the cells may be activated by an activator (e.g., a soluble activator complex). Nutrient and gas exchange capabilities of a closed, automated cell expansion system may allow cells to be seeded at reduced cell seeding densities, for example. Parameters of the cell growth environment may be manipulated to load the cells into a particular position in the bioreactor for the efficient exchange of nutrients and gases. System parameters may be adjusted to shear any cell colonies that may form during the expansion phase. Metabolic concentrations may be controlled to improve cell growth and viability. Cell residence in the bioreactor may be controlled. In embodiments, the cells may include T cells. In further embodiments, the cells may include T cell subpopulations, including regulatory T cells (Tregs), helper, naïve, memory, or effector, for example.

Microorganisms present within a plurality of microorganism clusters immobilized in a porous support material may collectively define a supported bio-catalyst. When the microorganisms are effective to convert methane into one or more oxidized carbon compounds (e.g., methanotrophic bacteria), the supported bio-catalysts may be utilized to remove methane from methane-containing gas streams, such as those obtained from mining ventilation. Methods for processing a methane-containing gas stream may comprise interacting the gas stream with the supported bio-catalyst in substantial absence of a liquid phase, and obtaining a methane-depleted gas stream downstream from the supported bio-catalyst. Systems for processing a methane-containing gas stream may comprise the supported bio-catalysts housed in one or more vessels fluidly coupled to a source of methane-containing gas stream. A gas concentration in the methane-containing gas stream and/or the methane-depleted gas stream may be used to determine a current state or anticipated remaining lifetime of the supported bio-catalyst.

A method of processing food waste in a food waste digester using processed tagua seeds as a support medium for micro-organism that digest food waste into a biodegradable liquid.