A cell culture apparatus includes a cell culture module including multiple cell culture chambers. A manifold connects the multiple cell culture chambers together along a side of the cell culture module. The manifold includes a side wall base structure connected to the side of the cell culture module and a column structure that is formed as a monolithic part of the side wall base structure. The column structure defines a fluid flow pathway through the manifold and to inlets to the cell culture chambers to allow filling and emptying of the cell culture chambers of liquid medium.

The present disclosure provides a sample test card and a sample loading method thereof, relates to the technical field of microbiological testing. The present disclosure includes sample wells arranged in an array; the sample wells are connected together through a flow channel network, and the sample wells are filled with a sample through a unified intake port. Sample filling is completed by vacuuming; during filling, a liquid sample is firstly filled, and air or other inert gas or insoluble liquid is filled; liquid sample volume and air volume are formed in proportion in the sample wells. In the present disclosure, the filled liquid sample is controlled not to fill the sample wells completely, and there are sufficient air space in sample wells, so that the sample wells are independent from each other to avoid contamination, and more sample wells can be arranged on the test card with the same size.

A cell-containing container includes at least one recessed part accommodating cells, in which the cells adhere to a bottom surface of the recessed part, and a cell density in a first region of the bottom surface is 250 to 20,000 cells/mm.sup.2, and a cell density in a second region surrounding a periphery of the first region is less than 250 cells/mm.sup.2.

The present invention relates to systems and methods involving interconnected plate components, including bases, lids and covers, interconnected in a manner such that a continuous strip of each component is prepared. The continuous strips may be stored as rollstock in a reel style. The physical properties of each continuous strip allow the base, lid and/or cover to include means for positive control. In one embodiment, the continuous strip of bases is advanced and processed through an automated system with positive control, and remains in the form of a continuous strip until agar in the bases is cured, at which time the bases are singulated. When a lid is applied to a base using methods described herein, an airtight seal is formed improving the quality of culture media used in testing.

A cell cultivation apparatus for cultivating microorganisms and growing cells at high density is provided. The apparatus includes a membrane comprising multiple surface features on a first side of the membrane for cell placement. The surface features comprising one or more compartments within which a cell can be located. The membrane includes a material that is at least partially permeable to gas. A second side of the membrane defines a gas region. The second side of the membrane is separated from the first side of the membrane by the membrane. The apparatus further includes a media region for receiving media. The compartments are configured to at least partially reduce media flow shear forces on one or more cells in the compartments. The surface features may be ridges, protrusions, fins, wells, and/or posts.

A system for inoculating and transporting Neisseria gonorrhoeae, or other microbial organisms enables inoculation and transport of a specimen suspected of containing Neisseria gonorrhoeae with an InTray® GC tray. The tray comprises a floor wall having a first depression and a second depression. A Gonococcal medium is disposed in the first depression. A removable inner panel overlays the first and second depressions. A removable outer panel overlays the inner panel. After introducing Neisseria gonorrhoeae or a microbial organism into the Gonococcal medium, the panels reseal the tray. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is introduced into the Gonococcal medium for inoculation thereof. A carbon dioxide member in the second depression releases a CO.sub.2 gas. A carbon dioxide seal covers the second depression. The seal is punctured to release the CO.sub.2 gas that saturates the medium in the first depression. The CO.sub.2 gas inhibits degradation of the Gonococcal medium or other microbes that require CO.sub.2.

The invention provides an automated system for producing induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from adult somatic cells. Further, the system is used for producing differentiated adult cells from stem cells.

The present disclosure provides a culture device for enumerating colonies of microorganisms. The device can comprise a base, a coversheet, and a nonporous spacer member disposed therebetween. The spacer member comprises an aperture that defines a growth compartment. Disposed in the growth compartment are a cold water-soluble gelling agent, a dry oxygen-scavenging reagent, a dry buffer system, and an effective amount of a dry carbon dioxide-generating reagent. The buffer system is selected such that, when the growth compartment is hydrated with a predetermined volume of deionized water, an aqueous mixture with a pH less than or equal to 6.35 is formed.

Disclosed is biomanufacturing apparatus 1 comprising a housing 20 including top 22 and bottom 24 faces which allow stacking of plural housings, an access door 25 at a front side of the housing, a substantially enclosed bioreactor chamber 30 inside the housing accessible via the door, and a further substantially enclosed region 36 inside the housing containing electrical parts and/or electronic control components, the chamber 30 including: a tray 40 for supporting a bioreactor, a tray support 45 including a mechanism 44,47 for rocking the tray in use; at least a fluid handling portion 48,49 of at least one fluid pump device 54/58; and at least one connection 43 for connecting to a conduit and/or path for carrying fluids, gas and/or electricity.

A device for automated characterization of radioactive analytes that provides an integrated system with liquid handling and plate reading components. The device can be further configured to include a chromatographic subsystem. Also provided is a method of using such a device, providing addition of a radioactive sample and a sequence of operations involving the abovementioned components of the system. The system is configured with radiation shielding in such a way that manipulations of radioactive samples do not interfere with concurrent radioactive measurements.