A cell transfer apparatus transfers cells from a dish in which the cells are held to a microplate where a plurality of wells are classified into a plurality of groups. The cell transfer apparatus includes a camera unit that captures an image of the dish with the cells being held in the dish, an evaluation unit that gives evaluation levels to the plurality of cells held in the dish, respectively, based on the image of the dish with reference to predetermined multiple-step evaluation level for the cells, an allocation processor that sets transfer destinations of the cells on the dish so that the cells equal in evaluation level are distributed evenly to the groups in the microplate, and a shaft controller that transfers the cells in accordance with the transfer destinations set by the allocation processor.

A picktool manipulator device collects a specimen from a culture medium. In a first mode of operation, a picktool is allowed to move in an axial direction relative to support structure of the device. A detector may generate a signal in response to movement of the body in the axial direction so as to determine a height at which the picktool contacts the medium. The device may operate in the first mode when collecting a specimen from a culture medium. A second mode of operation constrains or precludes axial movement of the picktool. In some cases, the device may operate in the second mode when receiving a new picktool or discarding a used picktool.

A dispensing apparatus, a liquid dispensing method, and a cell dispensing method which can dispense liquid with very high accuracy. A dispensing apparatus includes a glass pipette, a tubular elastic member, a rod-shaped member, and a piezoelectric element actuator. A portion of the tubular elastic member located adjacent to a first open end thereof covers a portion of the glass pipette located adjacent to an opening portion thereof. A portion of the tubular elastic member located adjacent to a second open end thereof covers at least a forward end portion of the rod-shaped member. When the piezoelectric element actuator pushes the rod-shaped member toward the opening portion of the glass pipette, the tubular elastic member deforms such that the volume of the internal space of the tubular elastic member decreases.

A cell transplantation device for placing a cell group at a target region in at least one of an intradermal layer and a subcutaneous layer in a living body, including a device body including a protruding portion having an accommodating portion for accommodating a liquid composition including the cell group. The protruding portion has an opening that communicates with the accommodating portion, and the protruding portion penetrates a skin surface of the living body such that the opening of the protruding portion reaches the at least one of the intradermal layer and the subcutaneous layer and that the cell group accommodated in the accommodating portion is placed at the target region through the opening.

A system includes a photobioreactor that provides a channel configured to contain an algae slurry, a duct positioned adjacent the channel and configured to convey a gas, and a barrier separating the duct from the channel and providing one or more apertures to allow a portion of the gas to be injected into the algae slurry from the duct.

The present invention discloses a piezoelectric ultrasonic microinjection device based on a flexible hinge mechanism. The device includes: a cover, a flexible hinge mechanism, a base, a screw cap and an end cap fixedly assembled together, the base being provided with a pump interface; and a micropipette fixedly mounted in the base, the screw cap and the end cap and extending outward, the micropipette being in communication with the pump interface; wherein the flexible hinge mechanism comprises a housing, a piezoelectric ceramic package module encapsulated in the housing, a central shaft fixedly mounted with the piezoelectric ceramic package module and the base, and a vibration output shaft extending from the piezoelectric ceramic package module into the central shaft, a plurality of flexible hinge beams being disposed between the central shaft and the housing.

Methods and apparatuses to non-destructively and periodically sample a small quantity of intracellular proteins and mRNA from the same single cell or cells for an extended period of time. Specifically, describe herein are non-perturbative methods for time-resolved, longitudinal extraction and quantitative measurement of intracellular proteins and nucleic acids from a variety of cell types using systems including nanostraws.

A system includes a bioreactor having an inlet and an outlet, a cell-media recirculation loop between the outlet of the bioreactor and the inlet of the bioreactor, and a mature cell separation unit positioned along the cell-media recirculation loop wherein the mature cell separation unit is configured for performing separation of mature cells from immature cells and direction of the immature cells back to the inlet of the bioreactor. The system may further include a storage unit for storing the mature cells. The mature cell separation unit may be further configured to direct the mature cells to a mature cell storage unit.

A sampling system includes a sensor (for example, a biosensor) that is provided in a sampling channel so as to be in contact with a sample and measures concentrations of predetermined components in the sample, an introduction path that introduces a cleaning liquid to an upstream side of the sensor of the sampling channel, and an air introduction path that is connected to the introduction path and is opened to the atmosphere. The air guided from the air introduction path flows into the sampling channel via the introduction path.

Systems, devices, and methods for producing a tissue specimen and performing subsequent biomechanical testing thereof to quantify various biological/physiological properties and characteristics. The system may include a bioreactor device for producing the tissue specimen which includes a packaged/sealed seeding cup containing a scaffold in a sterile environment amenable to seeding with cells. After seeding, the cup may be stored in a standard laboratory culture tray for incubation. The produced tissue specimen may next be transferred to a testing instrument under control of a microcontroller which automatically performs a series of tests on the tissue and generates testing data communicated to an external electronic device which can operably interact with and control operation in part of the testing instrument via software. Tissue integrity in the instrument may be maintained by sterile fluid circulation and heating systems. The system advantageously provides efficient and reproducible tissue growth and analysis.