The present invention relates to a perfusion bioreactor for co-culturing, wherein the bioreactor grows cells in two separate environments and enables communication across environments and populations. The chambers' contents are continuously mixed to expose the environment (or cell population) of each chamber to the secreted products of the other chamber. The said bioreactor comprises at least, but not limited to, two chambers, with separate cell populations with at least two separate environments independently selected from aerobic or anaerobic environment and media favorable to cell growth. The bioreactor allows for multiple samples to be collected during an experiment to enable various analytical techniques and results. Additionally, the bioreactor comprises a multi-chamber cell culture system capable of emulating the gastro-intestinal tract.

A device for culturing anaerobic microorganisms is provided. The device comprises a body comprising a waterproof base, a waterproof coversheet attached to the base, and a growth compartment disposed between the base and the coversheet. The growth compartment has a perimeter and an opening that provides liquid access to the growth compartment. A portion of the perimeter is defined by a waterproof seal. The portion includes >50% of the perimeter. A dry cold water-soluble gelling agent is adhered to the base in the growth compartment. A dry first oxygen-scavenging reagent is disposed in the growth compartment.

There was still an unsatisfied need to have a device specifically adapted for the collection of sputum, for example from CF patients. This technical problem is overcome by the kit of the invention comprising a sterile sampling container having a gas-permeable cap, an anaerobic atmosphere generator, and a sealable pouch adapted to receive the sterile sampling container and the anaerobic atmosphere generator therein. This kit is easy to use, cost effective and makes the transport of the sample easy while the sample can be kept viable for several hours. Our in vitro tests show that the use of the kit improves the number of survival colonies by 3 log after 48 h for V. parvula and by 1 log after 24 h for S. aureus.

An anaerobic digestion system is provided. The system includes a biomass storage container and a cover positioned over the biomass storage container, where the cover is sealed at an outer edge of the anaerobic digester. Weights may be arranged on the surface of the cover, and the sealed edges may form a water collection region. Additional systems, including thermal management, gas processing, energy storage and recovery, and sensing can also be included.

The invention provides an in vitro method for inducing macrophage polarization to an M2 phenotype. The method comprises the in vitro exposure of macrophages to repeated series of hypoxia-reoxygenation. Activated M2 macrophages obtained by this method overexpress molecules important for tissue remodeling and amelioration of inflammation, thus they are useful as cell therapy for tissue regeneration. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising the M2 macrophages obtained by the method, as well as a device for inducing hypoxia and re-oxygenation conditions on isolated macrophages according to the method.

A device for culturing anaerobic microorganisms is provided. The device comprises a body comprising a waterproof base, a waterproof coversheet attached to the base, and a growth compartment disposed between the base and the coversheet. The growth compartment has a perimeter and an opening that provides liquid access to the growth compartment. A portion of the perimeter is defined by a waterproof seal. The portion includes >50% of the perimeter. A dry cold water-soluble gelling agent is adhered to the base in the growth compartment. A dry first oxygen-scavenging reagent is disposed in the growth compartment.

The invention provides an in vitro method for inducing macrophage polarization to an M2 phenotype useful for tissue repair. The method described in the present invention comprises the in vitro exposure of macrophages to repeated series of hypoxia-reoxygenation. Activated M2 macrophages obtained by this method overexpress molecules important for tissue remodeling and amelioration of inflammation, such as NGAL and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10). Thus, M2 macrophages obtained by this method are useful as cell therapy for tissue regeneration. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising the M2 macrophages obtained by the described method. The invention further refers to a device for inducing hypoxia and re-oxygenation conditions on isolated macrophages according to the described method.