There is described a cellular behaviour monitoring device for monitoring changes in behaviour of cells contained in a sample. The device generally has a well plate with a sample receiving well recessed therein. A filter membrane extends across the well plate and hermetically covers the sample receiving well. The filter membrane has nutrient-permeable and cell-impermeable pores extending through the filter membrane. The device has an electrode layer extending across the filter membrane. The electrode layer has a substrate and behaviour monitoring electrodes spaced-apart from one another in a region of the substrate, with the region being aligned with the sample receiving well. The electrode layer has nutrient-permeable apertures distributed across the region, with at least some of pores are aligned with at least some of the apertures to allow fluid communication therebetween, and nutrient exchange between the sample receiving well and a surrounding environment.

Provided is a structure composed of a cell population comprising endothelial cells, astrocytes and pericytes, and a 3D (three dimensional) cell growth material within which the cell population is located. The structure has a TEER value of at least 450 /cm.sup.2. The cells of the structure may be derived from the brain. The cells may be human cells, and in particular may be primary derived non-immortalised cells. The structure is particularly suited for use in a model of the blood brain barrier, and the invention also provides such a model. The structure is located in a container, in which it separates a first chamber located on a first side of the structure and a second chamber located on a second side of the structure. The first and second chambers respectively contain first and second liquids in contact with first and second sides of the structure. The liquids mimic the brain extracellular fluid and the blood. The blood brain barrier model provided may be used in models of brain disease, and to investigate uptake of agents into the brain or diseased brain.

There is disclosed a cell culture plate comprising at least two sequentially arranged wells and a channel adapted for fluid communication between the wells, wherein the channel is connected or coupled to a first pump via openings at each end of the channel, and wherein said first pump is operable to circulate fluid between the at least two wells. Devices and systems incorporating the cell culture plate and methods and uses employing same are also disclosed.

There is described a method of reducing or preventing the agglomeration of spheroids comprising the use of a cell culture device comprising: a cell culture chamber comprising a base and side walls extending from the base to enclose a volume of the cell culture chamber; an inlet in the base or side walls of the cell culture chamber adapted for fluid communication into the chamber; and an outlet in the base or side walls of the cell culture chamber adapted for fluid communication out of the chamber; wherein the base of the cell culture chamber comprises a discontinuous surface adapted to reduce or prevent the agglomeration of spheroids.

A method for producing tissue constructs comprising two or more distinct regions, each of which comprises a different cell population or lineage is described. The method involves providing a support substrate or substrate assembly comprising two or more physically distinct regions, wherein the two or more physically distinct regions of the support substrate or substrate assembly are different from each other; and depositing/positioning one or more cells on the support substrate or substrate assembly. The cells can form a continuous monolayer with at least two zones, e.g., a proliferative zone and a nonproliferative zone, that can act as in vitro intestinal models. The models are two-dimensional, thus facilitating rapid and facile imaging. Systems comprising the tissue constructs and methods of using the constructs to study the effects of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and metabolites on intestinal cells are also described.

A cell culture chamber is for the in vitro production and cultivation of cell layers and organ models with two first and second channels arranged one above the other and separated from one another by a porous membrane with two side surfaces and through which flow can pass, wherein a cell substrate is formed in each case by the side surfaces of the membrane. The cell culture chamber is characterized in that at least the inner walls of the first and the second channels consist of polybutylene terephthalate. Further, a method is for cultivating human or animal cells, and in particular liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, alone and in co-culture with hepatocytes and immune cells.

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 anaerobic chamber system to evaluate human enteric disease is described herein that can be used to test therapeutic components. In specific embodiments, the anaerobic chamber is used to determine the effect of one or more bacterial communities on ex vivo enteroid cultures. In one application, the anaerobic chamber system is used to determine the efficacy of therapeutic components in ameliorating human enteric disease using personalized medicine.

The present invention is drawn to the generation of micropatterns of biomolecules and cells on standard laboratory materials through selective ablation of a physisorbed biomolecule with oxygen plasma. In certain embodiments, oxygen plasma is able to ablate selectively physisorbed layers of biomolecules (e.g., type-I collagen, fibronectin, laminin, and Matrigel) along complex non-linear paths which are difficult or impossible to pattern using alternative methods. In addition, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to the micropatterning of multiple cell types on curved surfaces, multiwell plates, and flat bottom flasks. The invention also features kits for use with the subject methods.

A cell culture matrix is provided that has a substrate with a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a thickness separating the first side and the second side, and a plurality of openings formed in the substrate and passing through the thickness of the substrate. The plurality of openings allow flow of at least one of cell culture media, cells, or cell products through the thickness of the substrate, and provides a uniform, efficient, and scalable matrix for cell seeding, proliferation, and culturing. The substrate can be formed from a woven polymer mesh material that provides a high surface area to volume ratio for cells and good fluid flow through the matrix. Bioreactor systems incorporating the cell culture matrix and related methods are also provided.