A pick-and-place system for plant embryos includes a tray for receiving a suspension of plant embryos. The tray is movable to repeatedly reposition the plant embryos. An identification system is proximate the tray for identifying a target plant embryo amongst the plant embryos in the suspension. The identification system is configured to identify the target plant embryo while the tray is moving. A robotic arm is proximate the tray and is in communication with the identification system. The robotic arm is actuatable to pick the target plant embryo out of the suspension while the tray is moving, and deposit the target plant embryo at a target location.

Problems: A devise for retaining and transporting cells that is capable of holding cultured cells and moving the cells while holding them is provided.

Solutions: The device for retaining and transporting cells 100 has a base 101, a through hole 103, a cell scaffold 105, and an manipulating part 107. The cell scaffold 105 holds cells such as cardiac myocytes and nerve cells. When holding the cells in the cell scaffold 105, drop the suspension from the through hole 103 to the cell scaffold 105 exposing from the through hole 103 using a pipette etc. and culture. The manipulating part 107 is formed so as to project from the upper surface P101a of the base 101. Multiple manipulating part 107 is formed radially on the upper surface P101a of the base 101, centered on the through hole 103. By forming the manipulating part 107, the manipulating part 107 can be held by a holder such as tweezers, which enables easy operation of the device for retaining and transporting cells 100.

A transfection device suitable for delivery of various macrostructures (e.g., mitochondria, bacteria, liposomes) is described and uses mechanical force to thereby induce active endocytosis in a target cell. Contemplated devices are able to achieve high throughput of transfected cells that remain viable and are capable of producing colonies.

A device for growing microorganisms is provided. The device includes a body member comprising a self-supporting, waterproof substrate, a layer of adhesive disposed on the substrate, a powder adhered to the adhesive, a cover sheet adhered to the body member, and a dry composition including a mixture of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and guar gum adhered to the cover sheet or the substrate. The powder comprises a cold-water-soluble gelling agent and one or more nutrient for growing microorganisms. The composition, when reconstituted with water, resists liquefaction by microorganisms A method of culturing microorganisms using the device is also provided.

A system for controlling a motion of a cell culture includes a tray adapted to hold a cell culture, a camera adapted to capture an image of the cell culture, and a device adapted to control a movement of the tray. The system also includes a processor adapted to determine a first movement of the tray, receive from the camera data representing an image of the cell culture, determine a characteristic of the cell culture based on the image data, determine a second movement of the tray based on the characteristic, the second movement being different from the first movement, and cause the tray to move in accordance with the second movement.

Implementations of the present invention relate to apparatuses, systems, and methods for constructing and using a metastatic mimetic device. The device includes at least one chamber with a gate structure that allows a channel to selectively allow fluid communication between an interior of the chamber and an exterior of the chamber. The channel includes a porous member extending across a cross-section of the channel to control flow rates or allow the mimetic device to replicate transport across a member.

The present invention provides a cell culture container for long term non-adherent cell culture which comprises having a coating containing a copolymer which is a copolymer having a recurring unit which contains a group represented by the following formula (a), a recurring unit which contains a group represented by the following formula (b), and a recurring unit which contains a group represented by the following formula (c), and a molar ratio of the recurring unit which contains a group represented by the formula (c) being 1 to 50 mol % based on the whole copolymer, provided with at least a part of a surface thereof

##STR00001## [wherein, U.sup.a1, U.sup.a2, U.sup.b1, U.sup.b2 and U.sup.b3, R.sup.c, and An.sup. are as defined in the specification and Claims.]

The present invention relates to systems and methods for tissue processing and analysis. Tissue chambers are configured to allow single-container chemical processing, imaging, and wax embedding of tissue samples in a single container without manipulation between steps. Tissue chambers with features to support the tissue sample and allow fluid flow between the tissue sample and the tissue chamber surface are disclosed. The features may be index matched to sample structures of interest or dissolvable in clearing solution to allow for in-chamber imaging with minimal distortion. Specialized tissue processing and wax removal apparatuses are also disclosed including for use with tissue chambers having frangible portions to permit ease of wax removal.

Macrocarriers with flat surface areas which can be easily suspended in liquid using low power input will improve cell attachment and growth in bioreactors. Such macrocarriers can be consistently manufactured to exact size specifications, which can significantly reduce the risk of contamination by small size particulates. The macrocarriers may be flat discs or squares with central bumps on each face to prevent stacking. The macrocarriers may also have outward curved wings from two or four sides to facilitate distribution in moving solution.

The present disclosure provides a culture device for enumerating colonies of sulfate-reducing microorganisms. The device includes a body having a waterproof base, a waterproof coversheet attached to the base, and a growth compartment disposed therebetween. The growth compartment has a perimeter and an opening. A portion of the perimeter is defined by a waterproof seal. The portion can include >50% of the perimeter. Disposed in the growth compartment are a dry cold water-soluble gelling agent, a dry culture medium selected to facilitate growth of a sulfate-reducing bacterium or indicator reagent for detecting hydrogen sulfide production by a sulfate-reducing bacterium, and a dry first oxygen-scavenging reagent.