The present subject matter provides a microfluidic device that enables the precise and repeatable three dimensional and compartmentalized coculture of muscle cells and neuronal cells. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for use in transducing, activating, and otherwise treating cells. Cells are introduced into an inner layer of a multi-layered stack that defines at least one flow chamber and a plurality of cell entrainment regions. Vertical flow through the stack entrains the cells in the cell entrainment regions along with genetic information introduction agents or other additives, before the cells are washed using a reverse vertical flow and are collected from the device.

In exemplary implementations, transplantation of nucleic acids into cells occurs in microfluidic chambers. The nucleic acids may be large nucleic acid molecules with more than 100 kbp. In some cases, the microfluidic chambers have only one orifice that opens to a flow channel. In some cases, flow through a microfluidic chamber temporarily ceases due to closing one or more valves. Transplantation occurs during a period in which the contents of the chambers are shielded from shear forces. Diffusion, centrifugation, suction from a vacuum channel, or dead-end loading may be used to move cells or buffers into the chambers.

An ocean iron fertilization (OIF) method and system for electrochemically controlled release of iron in an ocean to stimulate growth of phytoplankton to increase CO.sub.2 sequestration by the ocean. The system includes a cathode submerged or floating in the ocean; an iron or iron-producing anode submerged or floating in the ocean spaced apart from the cathode; and a power supply unit connected to the cathode and the anode. The power supply unit drives electric current between the cathode and the anode such the anode generates oxygen (O.sub.2) and ferrous iron through electrolysis to be released in the ocean, and the cathode produces hydrogen (H.sub.2) and hydroxide (OH—) species through an electrochemical reaction at the cathode.

A biomass containment device (BCD) and methods of measuring microbial growth or enzyme activity in the presence of insoluble substrates using the BCD is described. The BCD is compatible with microbial growth and enzyme assays, is sterilizable, is reusable, and the size can be varied to fit any container.

In example implementations, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a channel, a reagent chamber, a synthetic jet channel, and an energy source. The channel is to hold a cell. The reagent chamber is coupled to the channel and stores a reagent. The synthetic jet channel is coupled to the channel and the reagent chamber. The energy source is located in the synthetic jet channel to heat a liquid in the synthetic jet channel to create a synthetic jet that carries the reagent through towards the cell to inject the reagent into the cell.

Systems and methods for improved flow properties in fluidic and microfluidic systems are disclosed. The system includes a microfluidic device having a first microchannel, a fluid reservoir having a working fluid and a pressurized gas, a pump in communication with the fluid reservoir to maintain a desired pressure of the pressurized gas, and a fluid-resistance element located within a fluid path between the fluid reservoir and the first microchannel. The fluid-resistance element includes a first fluidic resistance that is substantially larger than a second fluidic resistance associated with the first microchannel.

Provided herein is a column-based continuous viral inactivation system, comprising one or both of a pH feedback controller to adjust feed flow rates and a minimum residence time (MRT) feedback controller to adjust feed flow rates. Methods of viral inactivation with the system are also provided.

The disclosure relates to methods, systems and compositions for physically manipulating a muscle tissue culture either mechanically, or manually, or both. Specifically, the disclosure relates to systems and methods of physically manipulating, either mechanically or manually, a resilient container of bioprinted tissue culture having non-random three dimensional cell structure by elongation, compression, torque and shear of the tissue culture.

A microfluidic device in which microfluidic channels are embedded in a culture medium chamber and have open sides. The microfluidic device is patterned with a fluid moved along a hydrophilic surface due to capillary force, and the fluid may be rapidly and uniformly patterned along an inner corner path and a microfluidic channel. In the microfluidic device, the microfluidic channel is connected to facilitate fluid flow with a culture medium through open sides thereof and openings, and thus may provide a cell culture environment in which high gas saturation is maintained. In addition, several microfluidic devices formed on one common substrate are described. Such microfluidic devices may be manufactured of a hydrophilic engineering plastic by injection molding.