A system and method for automatically digesting, culturing and growing a biopsy. The digester is a closed fluid transfer system, including disposable and durable parts, that receives a biopsy, washes the biopsy tissue, digests the tissue to separate the cells from each other, and seeds the cells in a culture flask. In one use, the system receives cells from a patient, expands and multiplies them, and returns them to the patient. A controller coordinates the motion of a plurality of pumps and the status of a plurality of valves, the pumps and the plurality of valves moving the fluid throughout the system. A sensor system assists the controller in volume and flow rate control of the fluids in the system, and in controlling the position of a tube providing air and fluids to a biopsy vial that includes the biopsy.