Bioreactor devices for modulating cells, systems including the devices, and methods of using the devices and systems to modulate cells are provided. The bioreactor devices typically include (i) a base support; (ii) a scaffold having bound to or present on the surface thereof, one or more cell receptor ligands; and (iii) a biodegradable polymer, co-polymer, or blend of polymers including an active agent associated with, encapsulated within, surrounded by, and/or dispersed therein. The systems include a bioreactor device, and one or more additional components, such as a housing for the device, one or more flow lines, one or more ports, one or more valves or clamps, etc. Methods of using the devices and systems for modulating cells ex vivo and treating subjects with cell adaptive therapy are also provided.

Described are methods and systems for enhanced dissociation of cells from a solid biological tissue sample. In some embodiments, a self-contained cartridge apparatus includes a first chamber for receiving the tissue sample, enables ultrasonic energy from a transducer assembly of a processing unit to dissociate cells from the sample in the first chamber, and collect viable cells of interest from an aqueous suspension in a second chamber fluidly connected to the first chamber via a channel. In some embodiments, to enhance dissociation of viable cells, a filter device includes a tubular body configured to be telescopically inserted into a container containing the tissue sample in an aqueous fluid. The filter device also includes a cell-filter mesh that covers a bottom opening of the tubular body and that is configured to compress the tissue sample to expel cells from the sample when the filter device is fully inserted into the container.

Methods of fabricating a hydrogel tube, and related systems, employ extrusion of a cross-linkable hydrogel solution from an annular outer nozzle of a nozzle assembly to form a cross-linkable hydrogel tube. The cross-linkable hydrogel tube is cured to form a cross-linked hydrogel tube. A second hydrogel solution can be coextruded via the axial inner nozzle to form an inner hydrogel filament coaxially positioned within the cross-linkable hydrogel tube. The cross-linked hydrogel tube can be functionalized with collagen to enable cell adhesion, and cells can be cultured on the luminal surfaces of these tubes to yield tubular endothelial layers. A 3D printed coaxial nozzle can be used to fabricate biofunctional tubular conduits that can be utilized for engineering in vitro models of tubular biological structures.

A method of producing a cell structure includes applying a magnetic field, in a container (40), to a plurality of culture carriers to arrange the culture carriers. The culture carriers include at least one of a carrier (10) and a cell holding carrier (30), the carrier (10) having a magnetic portion (12), formed only in a part of the carrier (10), and a cell holder (11). The method also includes culturing cells (20) held on the cell holder (11) while maintaining the culture carriers in the arranged state.

A biofilm reactor substrate support system can comprise a base holder shaped to retain a reactor vessel and comprising a magnetic alignment feature. The biofilm reactor substrate can also comprise a set of reactor racks including a complementary magnetic alignment feature which can be magnetically coupleable to the magnetic alignment feature so as to anchor the base holder and the set of reactor racks in a fixed position relative to one another. Each reactor rack can be coupleable to at least one removable biofilm support microstructure.

A biological indicator for testing the efficacy of sterilization or disinfection processes of closed environments or confined spaces, the biological indicator comprising a carrier; biological material supported on or embedded in the carrier; and a carrier container comprising a body and a cap. The carrier is fixed within an inner space of the cap, the cap being able to be placed in an open position completely exposing the carrier and the biological material to the closed environment or confined space to be disinfected. A method for determine the efficacy of a process of sterilization or disinfection of closed environments or confined spaces, preferably by means of an enzyme and a fluorescence compound, using said biological indicator.

A perfusion plate that can be combined with pillar plates containing cell layers is disclosed. The perfusion plate can have an inflow reservoir and an outflow reservoir connected by at least one channel, which fluidly connects the perfusion wells to the reservoirs for the flow of a fluid such as growth media. A perfusion plate can be part of an assembly containing a pillar plate, a lid, and a transparent bottom for visualizing cell growth in the perfusion wells. The perfusion-pillar plate assembly can facilitate perfusion-based tissue culture and tissue communication for high throughput, high-content, drug screening.

A system and method of growing and harvesting algae provided whereby the system encompasses incubation tanks, internal lighting, chilled air diffusers, and an inline incubation tank for continuous batch processing. A centrifuge separates algae from growth media, and the media is processed through a series of reclamation steps so that cleaned water is reused for fresh media.

A biocompatible composite element for a bioreactor is provided that includes an outer frame and an inner component. The outer frame is a polymeric material. The outer frame can be inseparably attached to a wall of the bioreactor. The inner component is a transparent material selected from a group consisting of glass, sapphire, and glass ceramic. The inner component is secured in the outer component in an inseparable hermetically tight manner. The inner component is configured for a spectral process control through the transparent material of the inner component.

A corneal tissue culture system and a corneal tissue culture method for increasing corneal endothelial cell density, healing of damaged corneal endothelial cell, and stimulating corneal endothelial cell proliferation are disclosed. The corneal tissue culture system comprises a tissue culture medium and a tissue culture dish to reduce metabolic pressure and reduce corneal tissue edema.