Microfluidic flow cells for analyzing or diagnosing biofilms and cell cultures. The microfluidic flow cells comprise a support plate with a sample chamber formed therein, which is peripherally limited by chamber walls and a bottom, a cover plate which can be connected to the support plate in a fluid-tight manner, an inlet with an integrated inlet channel, which leads to the sample chamber via an opening, a drain with an integrated drain channel. Holding elements for fixing the support plate to a microscope stage or a holding device are attached to the front sides of the support plate. The invention further relates to systems and their use for analyzing and diagnosing biofilms and cell cultures using these microfluidic flow cells.

In various embodiments a biocompatible composite membrane for in vitro cell culturing comprising a first material, which is non-water soluble and a water soluble second material is provided, wherein the composite membrane comprises a porous scaffold and a filling layer, the scaffold comprising the first material and the filling layer comprising the second material. Further, a method for fabricating the membrane, a bioreactor for use of the membrane in cell-stretch experiments and a corresponding method for investigating cells attached to the biocompatible composite membrane are also provided.

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.

An apparatus for cultivation of cells, particularly podocytes, is described. The apparatus includes a cell cultivation surface exhibiting at least one feature providing a non-planar microtopology. A method for cultivation of cells, particularly podocytes, is also described. The method includes introducing a differentiation media including ATRA, Vit D3, and Dex.

Disclosed is an ex vivo model for subcutaneous injection and aims at providing an in vitro method including the steps of i) immersing a skin explant in a solidifiable liquid matrix such that the upper face of the epidermis is not covered, which matrix is itself contained in a cell culture insert, the bottom of which consists of a porous membrane, and (ii) solidifying this matrix so as to trap the immersed portion of this skin explant, wherein the upper face of the epidermis is not covered, and adhering this same matrix to the side walls and the porous membrane of the insert, wherein the skin explant includes a thickness of at least 5 mm of hypodermis.

A cell culturing device and method of using same are provided. Embodiments of the cell culturing device include a plate having at least one well with a through-hole formed at a bottom wall thereof and a hydrogel matrix disposed in the through hole. The cell culturing device can also include an optically transparent plate at the bottom of the through-hole.

A spheroid cell culture article including: a chamber including: an opaque side wall surface; a top aperture; and a gas-permeable, liquid impermeable bottom including at least one concave surface, wherein at least a portion of the bottom is transparent, wherein at least a portion of the bottom includes a low-adhesion or no-adhesion material in or on the at least one concave surface, and wherein the gas permeable, liquid impermeable bottom includes polystyrene.

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a regular and high-density regenerated hair follicle primordium aggregation similar to the hair follicle tissue of a mammal in a simple manner. A regenerated hair follicle primordium aggregation manufacturing method of the present invention includes a step of forming hair follicle primordia by inoculating a microwell plate, which includes regularly arranged microwell portions, with mesenchymal cells and epithelial cells and culturing a mixture of the cells while supplying oxygen thereto.

Aspects of the present invention provide improved methods and apparatus for use in in vitro modeling of the interaction of cells with cellular constructs/parts/axons, including axon mimetics and use of three-dimensional fibers.