Abstract

The invention relates to the field of cell and tissue culture. In particular, the invention relates to devices for cell culture. A device for cell culture, according to the invention comprises (i) a medium conduit having one open end and one end closed by a porous membrane fused across it; and (ii) a frame holding the medium conduit in a substantially vertical orientation; wherein the medium conduit is adapted to permit retention by capillarity of a sufficient volume of liquid culture medium in the medium conduit to contact the surface of the porous membrane and thus supply nutrients to cells that may be grown on the porous membrane, characterised in that the surface of the membrane contralateral to the surface of said porous membrane sealed to said medium conduit comprises a hydrophobic barrier adapted to contain the culture.

IPC Classes  ?

• C12M 1/12 - Apparatus for enzymology or microbiology with sterilisation, filtration, or dialysis means
• C12M 1/20 - Horizontal planar fields

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of cell and tissue culture. In particular, the invention provides methods for culturing cells to form aggregates, including stem cells and primary cells. A method for culturing cells according to the invention comprises the steps of: (i) incubating a cells in a hanging drop on the underside of a porous membrane to form aggregates of cells; (ii) inverting the membrane so that the aggregates of cells are located on the upperside of the membrane; and (iii) incubating the aggregates of cells on the upperside of the membrane.

IPC Classes  ?

• C12N 5/00 - Undifferentiated human, animal or plant cells, e.g. cell linesTissuesCultivation or maintenance thereofCulture media therefor
• C12N 5/077 - Mesenchymal cells, e.g. bone cells, cartilage cells, marrow stromal cells, fat cells or muscle cells
• C12N 5/0793 - Neurons