A cell-free protein synthesis method includes the following steps: (i) providing a multi-well plate, the multi-well plate includes a cover plate and a base provided with a plurality of wells. Each well is formed by one or more side walls, a bottom II and an opening, and the cover plate matches the opening; (ii) providing fluid to some of the wells; (iii) adding a biochemical factor and one or more of a template DNA, a template RNA.sub.; an additive, and a reaction cofactor into the fluid; or (iv) adding one or more of the template DNA, the template RNA, the additive, and the reaction cofactor to the fluid; (v) placing the cover plate on a top of the base to seal the openings of the wells; and (vi) subjecting the multi-well plate to incubation for a period of time.

The present invention provides a microfluidic devices and methods of use thereof for the concentration and capture of cells. A pulsed non Faradaic electric field is applied relative to a sample under laminar flow, which results to the concentration and capture of charged analyte. Advantageously, pulse timing is selected to avoid problems associated with ionic screening within the channel. At least one of the electrodes within the channel is coated with an insulating layer to prevent a Faradaic current from flowing in the channel. Under pulsed application of a unipolar voltage to the electrodes, charged analyte within the sample is moved towards one of the electrodes via a transient electrophoretic force.

A cell culture insert for use in culturing cells to promote the formation of spheroids and methods of using these spheroid-promoting cell culture inserts. The cell culture insert includes a porous membrane and one or more sidewalls that are non-adherent to cells and cause the cells in the insert to associate with each other and form spheroids.

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.

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.

Disclosed are multi-well plate inserts that can be used to separate solid debris, including paper punch containing a blood sample, from a liquid containing target biological molecules, such as nucleic acid molecules and proteins. Also provided are methods of using the insert, for example as part of a method that analyzes target biological molecules.

Provided herein are injection molded perfusion-enabled bioreactors and systems including said bioreactors. The bioreactor can include a lid, a frame comprising an an-ay of sample wells, a membrane adhered to a bottom of the frame beneath the array of sample wells, and a skirt adhered to a bottom of the frame, such that the membrane is located between the frame and the skirt. The skirt can include a plurality of channels corresponding to the sample wells. When the sample wells are filled with a 3D cell culture support matrix, a pressure above the 3D cell culture support matrix is atmospheric pressure and a pressure below the membrane is less than atmospheric, thereby perfusing a fluid along a vertical fluid flow path from the sample wells through the

Provided herein is an insert chip and a cell culture system including the same, adapted for culturing a plurality of cell populations under various flow patterns.

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.

Devices and systems for cell culture analysis are provided. A device for cell culture analysis includes a first component comprising a receptacle configured to receive a cell culture insert having an apical surface and a basal surface and a second component. The device further includes an inlet port disposed at at least one of the first and second components and an outlet port disposed at at least one of the first and second components. The first component and second component are releasably couplable and configured to define a flow path from the inlet port to the outlet port when in a coupled state. The flow path is at least partially defined by a surface of the second component, and the first component is configured to expose the basal surface of the cell culture insert to the flow path.