The present disclosure provides a system, including methods and apparatus, for culturing, monitoring, and/or analyzing organoids. In an exemplary method of organoid culture, the method may comprise disposing a scaffold in a receptacle having an open side. A sealing member may be bonded to the open side of the receptacle to create a chamber. An organoid may be formed in the chamber using the scaffold. Fluid and/or at least one substance may be introduced into the chamber from an overlying reservoir for contact with the organoid.

The invention relates to modeling brain neuronal disease in a microfluidic device, comprising a co-culture of iPS-derived brain endothelial cells; iPS-derived dopaminergic neurons; primary microglia; and primary astrocytes, a Blood-Brain-Barrier (BBB)-Chip and a Brain-Chip. In particular, cross-talk between glial cells (e.g. microglia and astrocytes) with neuronal cells, in further contact with endothelial cells is contemplated for use for identifying drug targets under conditions for inducing in vivo relevant neuronal inflammation, neurodegeneration and neuronal death. Thus, in one embodiment, a microfluidic Brain-Chip comprising a co-culture of brain cells is exposed to α-synuclein preformed fibrils (PFF), a type of pathogenic form of α-synuclein. Such α-synuclein PFF exposure demonstrates an in vivo relevant disease pathogenesis on a microfluidic device as a concentration- and time-controlled manner that may be used for preclinical drug evaluation for diseases related to neuronal inflammation, e.g. Parkinson's disease (PD). In some embodiments, modulation of complement in the presence of neuronal inflammation is contemplated. In some embodiments, drug delivery to brain cells across the BBB is contemplated for preclinical testing of drug efficacy for slowing or stopping neuronal inflammation and degeneration.

The present disclosure provides a method for preparing microbeads comprising nanofibrillar cellulose, the method comprising providing a dispersion of chemically anionically modified nanofibrillar cellulose having a number-average diameter of 200 nm or less, forming the nanofibrillar cellulose into microbeads, to obtain microbeads comprising chemically anionically modified nanofibrillar cellulose in the range of 0.2-2% by weight. The present disclosure also provides the microbeads, a cell culture, a method for providing cell-derived products, use of the microbeads and use of chemically anionically modified nanofibrillar cellulose for preparing the microbeads.

Provided herein is a method for preparing microcarrier particles, comprising the steps of allowing the dispersed phase liquid flow through a multi-hole plate at a low temperature to form liquid microspheres in a continuous phase, and enabling a synthetic polymer and/or natural biological macromolecules within the liquid microspheres to be subject to a curing reaction at a low temperature to form particles. Further provided herein are the method for preparing an emulsion and an apparatus and process system for preparing microcarrier particles, which can be used for preparing emulsions and microcarrier particles on a large scale.

A modular engineered tissue construct includes a plurality of fused self-assembled, scaffold-free, high-density cell aggregates. At least one cell aggregate includes a plurality of cells and a plurality of biocompatible and biodegradable nanoparticles and/or microparticles that are incorporated within the cell aggregates. The nanoparticles and/or microparticles acting as a bulking agent within the cell aggregate to increase the cell aggregate size and/or thickness and improve the mechanical properties of the cell aggregate as well as to deliver bioactive agents.

The present invention relates to an insertable culture container and a kit for three-dimensional cell culture, and a three-dimensional cell co-culture method using the same, the insertable culture container for three-dimensional cell culture comprising: a cylindrical side wall having open upper and lower portions; at least one hook protruding outward from the upper side of the side wall; and at least one support protruding inward from the lower side of the side wall. The present invention is advantageous in that air required for a three-dimensional cell culture structure can be smoothly supplied since the cell is cultured at a position spaced apart from a bottom surface of the culture container, and an existing culture plate can be used without change due to the culture container configured as an insert type.

The invention relates to a cellular microcompartment comprising successively, organized around a lumen, at least one layer of pluripotent cells, an extracellular matrix layer and an outer hydrogel layer. The invention also relates to processes for preparing such cellular microcompartments.

Described herein are regenerative approaches with tunable cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions to enhance the ability to regenerate multiple zones within a construct with each zone possessing a unique, optimum, level of cell-cell and cell-matrix interaction.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to methods and compositions for controlling cellular expression. More specifically, embodiments described herein relate to hydrogel-encapsulated/dispersed cells, methods of forming hydrogel-encapsulated/dispersed cells, and methods of using hydrogel-encapsulated/dispersed cells for controlling production of, for example, secretomes. In an embodiment, a composition for controlling production of secretomes is provided. The composition includes, a hydrogel comprising, in polymerized form, one or more photoreactive monomers and a thiol linker, wherein at least one of the one or more photoreactive monomers comprises a methylene functional group; and one or more cells dispersed or encapsulated within the hydrogel.

A device for preparation of liquid marbles that has a belt conveyor for carrying a layer of solid particles, the belt conveyor being provided, successively in the direction of movement of the belt with at least one solids dispenser with a reservoir for solid particles, at least one liquid dispenser with a reservoir for liquid, and a separator for separating the prepared liquid marbles from solid particles, is disclosed.