Device for Cell Culturing and Processing

Abstract

The present invention discloses a device for cell culturing and processing, applicable in the field of biological and genetic engineering experiments, which comprises at least one central distribution compartment, at least one incubation compartment; at least one processing compartment, a number of ducts to transfer fluids between said compartments, wherein a distribution cavity and a piston capable of moving back and forth in said distribution cavity for altering the operational volume of said distribution cavity are provided within said central distribution compartment, and a distribution valve controlling the connection between said distribution cavity and said ducts is provided at one end of said distribution cavity within the distribution compartment.During operation, cells grow and multiply in a cell suspension contained in the incubation compartment. The cell suspension may be transferred from said incubation compartment into one of the processing compartments by means of said central distribution valve and moving the piston within the distribution cavity. The present invention combines the central distribution compartments, the incubation compartments, and the processing compartments into a compact system, which replaces repetitive manual handling, saves time, avoids wasting raw experimental materials, reduces the risk of human exposure to hazardous materials, while accomplishing cell culturing and several types of cell processing experiments. The modular design and automatic operation allows running different types of experimental projects in a short amount of time, in particular experiments requiring multiple iterations.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention describes a device used in the field of biological and genetic engineering, especially a device for cell cultivation, cell transformation and biological experiments.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]In the field of microbiology, especially in the field of biological engineering and genetic engineering, researchers have to verify their theories, ideas and designs by means of experiments on cell cultures. These experiments often include but are not limited to the following steps:[0003]1. Cell cultivation, especially making the cells grow and multiply in a liquid nutrient medium;[0004]2. Measuring the cell concentration in the liquid nutrient medium;[0005]3. Separating the cells from the liquid nutrient medium;[0006]4. Resuspending the cells with fresh liquid.[0007]5. Transforming cells by means of chemical, electrical, or other physical means, and by introducing genetic material such as plasmids or oligonucleotides, etc.;[0008]6. Steril...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a small, flexible, and automated device for cell culturing and processing that can be used for different experimental projects. It reduces the need for repetitive manual labor, saves time and money, avoids waste of raw materials, and minimizes the risk of human exposure to potentially dangerous substances. The device has a unique design with an improved incubation compartment that can control its temperature, a central distribution compartment with an optical pathway for measuring cell concentration, and a flexible design that allows for different types of processes and experiments to run simultaneously.

Problems solved by technology

When multiple rounds of experiments are required to achieve a desired result, considerable time and repetitive manual labor has to be invested in the process.

The main drawback of this approach is that the different components are usually not meant to be combined and do not have matching specifications.

The resulting bio-chemical plant will be too big and the required volume of cell culture will be too large for convenient use in a laboratory or with expensive materials.

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