Abstract:
An object of the present invention is to provide a cell culture chamber with which the survival rate of cells to be cultured can be increased, and a method of producing the same. A cell culture chamber according to the present invention includes a mass of projections formed of a plurality of microprojections 1 formed on a surface on which cells are cultured. The width or diameter of each of the microprojections 1 is in a range of 20 nm to 3 μm, and the aspect ratio of each of the microprojections is in a range of 0.2 to 3.0. Thus, there can be provided a cell culture chamber most suitable for the adhesion and differentiation/proliferation of cells to be cultured.
Abstract:
To provide a cell culture chamber capable of reproducing a cell function in vivo, and a method of producing the same. The cell culture chamber according to the present invention has a concave-convex pattern formed on the surface on which cells are cultured. A concave portion of the concave-convex pattern includes cell culture portions and micro flow channels communicating with the cell culture portions. The bottom surface of each of the cell culture portions has a width 1.0 to 20 times an equivalent diameter of each of the cultured cells. A cell adhesion-inducing substance is formed only on the bottom surface and the side walls of the concave portion.
Abstract:
Provided is a cell culture method whereby an in vivo function can be sustained over a long period of time and culture can be conducted using the minimum number of cells required. The cell culture method includes culturing undifferentiated cells in a layered state in a partitioned micro-space and obtains differentiated cells. When screening a pharmaceutical agent, undifferentiated cells capable of differentiating into liver cells, intestinal epithelial cells, nerve cells, myocardial cells and vascular endothelial cells are preferred. Particularly, in the prediction of pharmacokinetics or the like for humans, human cells are preferred.
Abstract:
To provide a cell culture method capable of sustaining in-vivo functions for a long time by suppressing dedifferentiation. A cell culture method in accordance with the present invention is to culture cells in a multi-layered state in a minute partitioned space and to obtain a tissue structure having a function resembling an in-vivo function. When the cells are mammary gland epithelial cells, a hollow acinus-like structure can be formed. The minute partitioned space is particularly preferably a micro container in a cell culture container having a plurality of such micro containers on the surface.
Abstract:
Provided is a method that achieves control of embryoid body size and can induce differentiation in a state where the embryoid body size is controlled, by using a cell culture chamber having a plurality of microchambers formed therein. A culture method for causing differentiation of pluripotent mammalian cells uses a cell culture chamber (10) having a plurality of microchambers (11) formed on a culture surface. The cell culture chamber (10) has a culture surface formed of spaces in which the microchambers (11) have a space structure with a height of 10 μm to 500 μm and a bottom area of 100 μm2 to 1 mm2. The culture method for causing differentiation of pluripotent mammalian cells includes culturing pluripotent mammalian cells to obtain a cell population at least partially differentiated into endoderm lineage cells, by using the cell culture chambers (10).
Abstract:
To provide a cell culture chamber and a cell culture method that are capable of effectively constructing an intercellular network in a culture space. A cell culture chamber (10) according to the present invention is a cell culture chamber (10) including a plurality of microchambers (11) formed on a surface thereof, characterized in that convex portions (side walls 12) that partition the microchambers (11) adjacent to each other are formed to prevent cells from being adhered to upper surfaces of the convex portions. Consequently, cells can be cultured exclusively within the microchambers (11), and an intercellular network can be constructed effectively.
Abstract:
A microchannel array, a method of manufacturing the same, and a blood test method. The microchannel array is formed by joining first and second substrates, each including a fluid inlet and outlet on their surfaces. An internal space structure connects the fluid inlet and outlet, and includes an upstream flow channel connected with the fluid inlet, a downstream flow channel connected with the fluid outlet with a gap therebetween, and a micro flow channel connecting the upstream and downstream flow channels. A minimum distance from a center of a sectional surface of the micro flow channel to a side wall of the micro flow channel is smaller than that of the upstream and downstream flow channels. Each surface of the first and second substrates includes grooves for creating the upstream and downstream flow channels, and the surface of the second substrate has grooves for creating the micro flow channel.
Abstract:
Provided is an electrochemical sensor device capable of micromachining a channel while maintaining its measurement sensitivity and of reliably quantitating an analyte in a trace amount of a sample. An electrochemical sensor device includes: a channel portion formed in a substrate; and working electrodes for subjecting an analyte in a solution flowing in the channel portion to electrochemical measurement, the electrochemical sensor device includes a plurality of measuring portions individually provided with the working electrodes, and each of the working electrodes has a plurality of conductive protrusion portions formed to protrude from a bottom surface of each of the measuring portions.
Abstract:
To provide a cell culture chamber and a cell culture method that are capable of effectively constructing an intercellular network in a culture space. A cell culture chamber (10) according to the present invention is a cell culture chamber (10) including a plurality of microchambers (11) formed on a surface thereof, characterized in that convex portions (side walls 12) that partition the microchambers (11) adjacent to each other are formed to prevent cells from being adhered to upper surfaces of the convex portions. Consequently, cells can be cultured exclusively within the microchambers (11), and an intercellular network can be constructed effectively.
Abstract:
To provide a cell storage method to store living cells while maintaining the functions of the living cells. An aspect of the cell storage method is a method to store living cells (40) by using a cell culture chamber (20) including a plurality of the microchambers (11), the method including: culturing the living cells by being adhered to the surfaces of a plurality of micro spaces; and after the culturing, pouring the culture medium (50) into the cell culture chamber (20) so as to cover the plurality of microchambers (11), and storing the living cells. The living cells are adhered to a cell culture chamber of an appropriate size and cultured to form a three-dimensional structure. This enables maintaining the three-dimensional structure of the living cells and storage of the living cells while maintaining the functions thereof.