The invention provides a force stimulation loading device and a working method thereof, the force stimulation loading device comprises: a containing body, a stretching mechanism and a twisting mechanism; the containing body is suitable for containing a gel encapsulating cardiomyocytes, and is made of a non-rigid material; the stretching mechanism is suitable for stretching or squeezing the containing body from opposite sides of the containing body to apply a stretching or squeezing force to the gel; the twisting mechanism is suitable for twisting the containing body to apply a twisting stress to the gel; the force stimulation loading device of the present invention is capable of simultaneously applying the stretching or squeezing force and the twisting stress to the gel encapsulating the cardiomyocytes through the stretching mechanism and the twisting mechanism, that is, applying the stretching or squeezing force and the twisting stress to the cardiomyocytes at the same time.

A motile cell sorting device is disclosed. The device comprises a chamber, an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the chamber, and a plurality of discrete barriers disposed in the chamber. Each discrete barrier comprises at least one wall and at least one acute edge orientated towards the outlet.

Microfluidic devices with neuronal cells, muscle cells, and optionally other cell types co-cultured therein are provided. Typically one or more the cells has a mutation that contributes to or causes a neuronal or muscular disease or disorder. For example, in some embodiments, one or more of the cultured cells are derived from a subject with a neuronal or muscular disease or disorder. The microfluidic device can facilitate formation of a 3D motor unit and a neuromuscular junction in vitro, and be used to monitor the molecular, biochemical, cellular, and morphological differences in the formation of such structures by healthy and diseased cells, and for testing compounds, dosages of compounds, dosing regimes, and combinations thereof, that may improve or worsen their formation. An exemplary combination drug therapy identified in this way is also provided.

A cell culture cartridge is provided comprising a plurality of zones geometrically configured to provide for symmetrical fluid flow with each of the plurality of zones to avoid dead areas in flow within each of the plurality of zones. In certain embodiments, at least eight inlets are provided, with an inlet positioned at each corner of the cell culture cartridge. In certain embodiments, a shared outlet is positioned on a top surface of the cell culture cartridge.

A multilayered cell culture apparatus for the culturing of cells is disclosed. The cell culture apparatus is defined as an integral structure having a plurality of cell culture chambers in combination with tracheal space(s). The body of the apparatus has imparted therein gas permeable membranes in combination with tracheal spaces that will allow the free flow of gases between the cell culture chambers and the external environment. The flask body also includes an aperture that will allow access to the cell growth chambers by means of a needle or cannula. The size of the apparatus, and location of an optional neck and cap section, allows for its manipulation by standard automated assay equipment, further making the apparatus ideal for high throughput applications.

A culture system and a culture device each can minimize the burden on workers and can effectively prevent the effect of temperature changes on culture by performing manipulation of a multilayer culture vessel and the culture in sequence in the same space. The culture system comprises a housing with an internal space in which a multilayer culture vessel including a plurality of trays therein is placed, and a manipulator manipulating the multilayer culture vessel while the multilayer culture vessel is kept in a state placed within the internal space. The multilayer culture vessel is communicated with a liquid supply tube such that a fluid material can be introduced into the multilayer culture vessel from an outside of the housing via the liquid supply tube, or that a fluid can be discharged from the multilayer culture vessel to the outside of the housing via the liquid supply tube.

This culture device comprises: a culture container which houses cells, magnetic particles and a culture medium; a temperature adjustment unit for adjusting the temperature of the culture container; a magnet which is provided to the outside of the culture container; a magnetic force adjustment unit for adjusting the magnetic force of the magnet; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the magnetic force adjustment unit. The magnetic force adjustment unit adjusts the magnetic force of the magnet, thereby holding magnetic particles and cells in a predetermined region within the culture container, or dispersing the magnetic particles and cells within the culture container.

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.

A bioartificial liver (BAL) based on human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) and a multilayer porous bioreactor is provided. The plasma separation/retransfusion loop part includes a blood input pipe, an exhaust pipe spring clamp, a blood input peristaltic pump, a heparin pump, a plasma separation column, a first pressure monitor, and a heater. The cell reactor/plasma component exchange double-loop part includes a plasma input peristaltic pump, and a semipermeable membrane exchange column, a plasma exchange peristaltic pump, a red blood cell (RBC) pool, a membrane lung, a multilayer porous bioreactor, a second pressure monitor, and a third pressure monitor arranged in a 37° C. dedicated incubator. An outlet of the third pressure monitor and a blood cell outlet are connected to an inlet of the first pressure monitor, and then connected to the heater and a blood output pipe in sequence.

A gel tray for a bacterial transformation lab exercise has a plastic body with four parallel gel channels and four filling ports, one for each channel into which unmodified bacteria and heat-shocked bacteria can be injected by students along with appropriate reaction constituents to demonstrate transformation of the bacteria under visualization. A seal may be provided to seal the tops of the gel channels and a lid can cover the gel tray during incubation.