Culture vessel and experiment support system

Abstract

To provide a culture vessel and an experiment support system to which experimental data can be easily linked.SOLUTION: A culture vessel 100 comprises: a plurality of wells W which are capable of housing a subject to be cultured in an internal space; a vessel body part 11 which connects the plurality of wells W; and a plurality of identification parts R which is provided in a pair with the plurality of wells W, where the identification part R has an identifier capable of identifying the corresponding well W out of the plurality of wells W or the subject to be cultured housed in the corresponding well W. The identification part R may include a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code having the identifier.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a culture vessel and an experiment support system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in research and development in the field of regenerative medicine, a container (eg, a well plate) having a plurality of wells capable of accommodating an object to be observed (eg, biological tissue such as cells) is used.

[0003] An example of a vessel having multiple wells is a reaction vessel described in Patent Document 1. The reaction vessel described in Patent Document 1 is a reaction vessel provided with multiple wells for containing a specimen containing genes, in which specific wells among the multiple wells other than the central well of the point symmetry serve as position-discriminating wells in which fluorescent dyes are arranged, and the orientation of the reaction vessel is determined by detecting the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent dyes using a fluorescence measuring device.

[0004] In a cell culture experiment using a well plate, for example, the well plate containing cells as the object of observation (object of culture) in the wells is placed inside a warming device such as an incubator, and the cells are cultured. The cultured cells are then optically observed using a microscope or the like, and the observation results are recorded as experimental data. At this time, the experimental data is often recorded by saving images of the observed cells.

[0005] In conventional manual cell culture experiments, in order to record experimental data, it is necessary to manually link a large amount of data, such as information about the cells being cultured (e.g., cell strain name) and microscopic images, which requires a great deal of effort. Therefore, there is a demand for automation of recording, linking, and organizing experimental data. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-144207 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in cell culture experiments using conventional well plates such as the reaction vessel described in Patent Document 1, in order to record the experimental data, it is necessary to manually link information about the cells contained in the wells with experimental data such as image data.

[0008] Specifically, in conventional cell culture experiments using well plates, it is necessary to manually input the file name of the image data so that the information of the photographed cells can be known, and the cell information must be written by hand on the well plate, which requires a great deal of effort to record and link the experimental data.

[0009] In addition, when preparing an experiment report that summarizes the experiment data, it is necessary to check the file names of many image data files to find the desired image data and manually collect the desired experiment data. Therefore, organizing the experiment data requires a great deal of effort.

[0010] Furthermore, when obtaining experimental data using multiple experimental devices, the above tasks (recording, linking, and organizing the experimental data) must be performed for each piece of experimental device used, which requires a great deal of effort to record, link, and organize the experimental data.

[0011] Furthermore, when recording, linking, and organizing a large amount of experimental data manually as described above, there is a risk that incorrect file names will be entered or the experimental data will not be linked properly, making it impossible to ensure traceability.

[0012] In consideration of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a culture vessel and an experiment support system that can easily link experimental data. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes the following means. The culture container of the present invention comprises a plurality of wells capable of accommodating culture objects in an internal space, a container body portion connecting the plurality of wells, and a plurality of identification portions provided in pairs with the plurality of wells, the identification portions having identifiers capable of identifying corresponding wells among the plurality of wells, or the culture objects accommodated in the corresponding wells.

[0014] The experimental support system of the present invention comprises the culture container described above, an experimental apparatus for performing experimental operations on the culture object contained in the well, a reading device capable of acquiring the identifier from the identification unit corresponding to the well in which the culture object is contained, and a control unit capable of acquiring the identifier acquired by the reading device, wherein the control unit links the identifier to the experimental operation, acquires experimental data for the experimental operation, and acquires the experimental data linked to the identifier. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the culture vessel and the experiment support system of the present invention, it is possible to provide a culture vessel and an experiment support system that can easily link experimental data. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view that illustrates a culture vessel according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F1-F1 in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the culture vessel in schematic form. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing an experiment support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 10 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates a schematic diagram of a container part in a culture container according to Modification 1. FIG. [Figure 6] 13 is a perspective view that illustrates typically another example of the vessel part in the culture vessel according to Modification 1. FIG. [Figure 7]13 is a perspective view that illustrates typically another example of the vessel part in the culture vessel according to Modification 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view that typically shows a culture vessel 100 according to this embodiment.

[0018] The culture vessel 100 includes a vessel portion 10 and a cover portion 20 . The container section 10 is provided with a plurality of wells W capable of accommodating culture objects such as cells. The culture container 100 according to this embodiment includes six wells W as shown in Fig. 1, and the six wells W are arranged in two rows of three wells W each.

[0019] 1, in this embodiment, the vertical direction in the culture vessel 100 is defined as the "up-down direction V," the vertically upward direction is defined as the "upward UP" in the vertical direction V, and the vertically downward direction is defined as the "downward LO" in the vertical direction V. The direction in which three wells W are lined up is defined as the "left-right direction H," one in the horizontal direction H is defined as the "leftward LT," and the other is defined as the "rightward RT" in the horizontal direction H. The direction perpendicular to the vertical direction V and the horizontal direction H is defined as the "front-rear direction D," one in the vertical direction D is defined as the "forward FR," and the other is defined as the "rearward RR" in the vertical direction D.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F1-F1 in FIG. The container portion 10 includes a plurality of wells W and a container body portion 11.

[0021] 1, the container part 10 has six wells W, and a first well W1, a second well W2, and a third well W3 are arranged in this order from the left LT to the right RT at the rear RR of the container part 10. Also, a fourth well W4, a fifth well W5, and a sixth well W6 are arranged in this order from the left LT to the right RT at the front FR of the container part 10.

[0022] Each of the wells W has a bottom surface on the lower side LO and an opening WO on the upper side UP, and is generally cylindrical. The bottom surface of each of the wells W according to this embodiment has a hemispherical shape that is convex on the lower side LO, as shown in FIGS.

[0023] The shape of the multiple wells W is not limited to this. The multiple wells W may have a polygonal shape such as a square or a hexagon when viewed from above UP. The bottom surface of the multiple wells W may be a flat plate extending perpendicular to the up-down direction V.

[0024] 2, the container body 11 is a flat member extending perpendicular to the up-down direction V. The container body 11 is connected to the edges of the openings WO on the upper side UP of the multiple wells W, connecting the multiple wells W together.

[0025] The container body 11 has a rectangular shape when viewed from above UP. The shape of the container body 11 is not limited to this, and may have a polygonal shape such as a hexagon or octagon, or may have a circular or elliptical shape when viewed from above UP.

[0026] The container part 10 is a well plate having six openings in a flat plate (container main body part 11) extending perpendicular to the vertical direction V, and a concave shape (well W) that is concave toward the lower LO is connected to the lower LO of the six openings.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 2, an accommodation space (inner space) WS is formed in the internal space surrounded by the inner peripheral surfaces of the multiple wells W. The accommodation space WS communicates with an opening WO on the upper side UP of the well W. The accommodation space WS can accommodate culture objects such as cells. That is, the container unit 10 has six accommodation spaces WS capable of accommodating culture objects.

[0028] The number of wells W in the container part 10 is not limited to 6. The number of wells W in the container part 10 may be less than 6 or more than 6. For example, the container part 10 may have 12 or 24 wells W and 12 or 24 storage spaces WS.

[0029] The size of the storage space WS can be any size depending on the culture object to be stored. The dimensions of the well W can be any size depending on the culture object to be stored.

[0030] 1 and 2, the lid part 20 is detachable from the container part 10 and is a lid material that covers the container part 10 from above UP. The lid part 20 includes a lid main body part 21 and a flange part 22 as shown in FIG.

[0031] The lid main body 21 is a flat plate-shaped member extending perpendicular to the vertical direction V, and when the lid 20 is placed over the container 10 from above UP, it is placed on the above UP of the container main body 11 facing the container main body 11 in the vertical direction V.

[0032] When the lid part 20 is placed over the container part 10 from above UP, the openings WO on the above UP of the multiple wells W are closed by the lid main body part 21. Therefore, by using the lid part 20, it is possible to prevent impurities (contaminants) from entering the storage space WS of the well W, and to prevent the cells stored in the storage space WS from being contaminated.

[0033] The lid main body 21 has a rectangular shape in a plan view from above UP. The shape of the lid main body 21 is not limited to this, and may have a polygonal shape such as a hexagon or octagon, or may have a circular or elliptical shape in a plan view from above UP.

[0034] The flange portion 22 is a flat plate-shaped member that is connected to the outer periphery of the lid body portion 21 and extends downward LO from the outer periphery of the lid body portion 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the end of the lower LO of the flange portion 22 is located below the lower LO surface of the container body portion 11.

[0035] Therefore, when the lid part 20 moves in the left-right direction H or the front-back direction D relative to the container part 10, the movement of the lid part 20 in the left-right direction H or the front-back direction D is restricted by contact between the flange part 22 and the container body part 11. As a result, it is possible to prevent the lid part 20 from coming off the container part 10 due to vibrations or the like applied when the culture container 100 is moved.

[0036] The lid portion 20 is provided with a plurality of identification portions R. FIG. 3 is a plan view that diagrammatically illustrates the culture vessel 100. As shown in FIG.

[0037] The multiple identification parts R are provided corresponding to the multiple wells W, and have an identifier for identifying each well W. The identification part R is, for example, a part on which a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code is printed. As the identification part R, a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code may be directly printed on the upper UP surface of the lid part 20, or a member on which a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code is printed may be attached to the upper UP surface of the lid part 20. The identification part R may also be a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code engraved on the lid part 20. The identification part R may have an identifier capable of identifying the culture object accommodated in the accommodation space WS of the well W.

[0038] For example, when the culture vessel 100 is formed by adhering a member on which a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code is printed as the identification part R to the culture vessel 100, a conventional well plate with a lid can be used as the vessel part 10 and the lid part 20.

[0039] 2 and 3, the multiple identifiers R are provided near the corresponding wells W. The multiple identifiers R include a first identifier R1, a second identifier R2, a third identifier R3, a fourth identifier R4, a fifth identifier R5, and a sixth identifier R6.

[0040] The first identification portion R1 is an identification portion R corresponding to the first well W1, has an identifier for identifying the first well W1, and is provided in the vicinity of the first well W1.

[0041] The second identification portion R2 is an identification portion R corresponding to the second well W2, has an identifier for identifying the second well W2, and is provided in the vicinity of the second well W2.

[0042] The third identification portion R3 is an identification portion R corresponding to the third well W3, has an identifier for identifying the third well W3, and is provided in the vicinity of the third well W3.

[0043] The fourth identifier R4 is an identifier R corresponding to the fourth well W4, has an identifier for identifying the fourth well W4, and is provided in the vicinity of the fourth well W4.

[0044] The fifth identifier R5 is an identifier R corresponding to the fifth well W5, has an identifier for identifying the fifth well W5, and is provided in the vicinity of the fifth well W5.

[0045] The sixth identifier R6 is an identifier R corresponding to the sixth well W6, has an identifier for identifying the sixth well W6, and is provided in the vicinity of the sixth well W6.

[0046] In this manner, the multiple identification parts R are provided in pairs with the multiple wells W. Furthermore, the identification part R (e.g., the first identification part R1) has an identifier capable of identifying the corresponding well W (e.g., the first well W1) among the multiple wells W.

[0047] By reading the identification part R using a reading device corresponding to the type of the identification part R (one-dimensional code, two-dimensional code, etc.), the reading device or a control unit connected to the reading device acquires the identifier of the identification part R. The reading device capable of reading the identification part R and the acquisition of the identifier by the reading device will be described later.

[0048] Next, the experiment support system 1000 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an experiment support system 1000 according to this embodiment.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 4, the experiment support system 1000 includes an incubation container 100, a reading device 200, an experiment device 300, a control unit 400, an input device 500, and a display device 600.

[0050] As described above, the culture container 100 is a container such as a well plate having a plurality of wells W capable of accommodating culture objects such as cells, and a plurality of identification portions R corresponding to each well W and having identifiers capable of identifying the corresponding well W.

[0051] The reading device 200 is a reading device capable of reading an identifier of the identification unit R included in the culture vessel 100. For example, when the identification unit R is a barcode, the reading device 200 is a barcode reader or a barcode scanner capable of reading a barcode. When the identification unit R is a two-dimensional code, the reading device 200 is a camera or the like capable of reading a two-dimensional code.

[0052] The identifier that the reader 200 reads from the identifier R is information indicating the well W corresponding to the read identifier R. For example, when the reader 200 reads the first identifier R1, the reader 200 obtains an identifier indicating the first well W1.

[0053] Furthermore, when there are multiple culture vessels 100, the identifier read by the reading device 200 from the identification unit R may include information indicating the culture vessel 100. For example, when the experiment support system 1000 includes multiple culture vessels 100 (first culture vessel and second culture vessel), the identifier held by the identification unit corresponding to the first well of the first culture vessel may be information indicating the first well of the first culture vessel.

[0054] In this case, the reading device 200 obtains an identifier indicating the first well of the first incubation container by reading an identification portion corresponding to the first well of the first incubation container. Therefore, even if the experiment support system 1000 includes a plurality of incubation containers 100, the reading device 200 can obtain an identifier capable of distinguishing and identifying each of the incubation containers 100 (e.g., the first incubation container and the second incubation container).

[0055] The experimental apparatus 300 is an experimental apparatus that performs an arbitrary experimental operation on a culture object contained in the culture vessel 100. The experimental apparatus 300 is, for example, a microscope that can observe and photograph cells contained in the well W of the culture vessel 100.

[0056] When the experimental apparatus 300 is a microscope, the experimental apparatus 300 can observe and photograph the cells contained in the well W at a desired magnification in the culture vessel 100 placed on the stage of the experimental apparatus 300 which is a microscope.

[0057] The experimental apparatus 300 may be an incubator or a safety cabinet (clean bench).

[0058] The control unit 400 is a control device that is connected to the reading device 200, the experimental device 300, the input device 500, and the display device 600 provided in the experiment support system 1000 by wire or wirelessly, and is capable of controlling all or some of them.

[0059] The control unit 400 is, for example, a program executable device (computer) equipped with a processor, a memory, a storage unit, and the like. Each function of the control unit 400 is realized by, for example, one or more processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) executing a program stored in a program memory. However, all or part of these functions may be realized by hardware (e.g., a circuit unit; circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a PLD (Programmable Logic Device). In addition, all or part of the above functions may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. The storage unit is realized by a flash memory, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or the like.

[0060] The control unit 400 is connected to the reading device 200, and acquires the identifier of the identification unit R read by the reading device 200. The control unit 400 is also connected to the experimental equipment 300, and acquires experimental data in the experimental operation performed by the experimental equipment 300. For example, when the experimental equipment 300 is a microscope, the control unit 400 acquires images (experimental data) of cells contained in the culture container 100 captured by the experimental equipment 300, which is a microscope.

[0061] Here, the culture object on which the experimental apparatus 300 performs the experimental operation is the culture object contained in the well W corresponding to the identification part R read by the reading device 200. For example, when the culture object on which the experimental operation is performed is contained in the first well W1 of the culture container 100, the experiment support system 1000 reads the first identification part R1 by the reading device 200 and obtains an identifier indicating the first well W1.

[0062] Next, the experimental device 300 performs an experimental operation on the culture object contained in the first well W1, and acquires experimental data (e.g., an observed image). The control unit 400 associates the identifier indicating the first well W1 acquired from the reading device 200 with the experimental operation performed by the experimental device 300 on the culture object contained in the first well W1, and acquires the experimental data associated with the identifier indicating the first well W1.

[0063] The input device 500 is an input device with which an experiment operator can input data to the control unit 400. The input device 500 is, for example, a keyboard connected to the control unit 400 by wire or wirelessly. The input device 500 may also be a barcode scanner capable of reading barcodes, a camera capable of reading two-dimensional codes, or the like. The experiment operator can input various data to the control unit 400 by operating the input device 500.

[0064] Here, the control unit 400 can acquire the experimental conditions for the experimental work performed by the experiment support system 1000. Here, the "experimental conditions" are data that are determined in advance before the experimental work is performed by the experiment support system 1000, such as the experimental location and the name of the cell strain to be cultured. The experimental conditions are basically information that is input by the experimental operator through the input device 500 before the experimental operation is performed by the experimental apparatus 300, and include information on the culture object.

[0065] Furthermore, the control unit 400 acquires the experimental conditions linked to the identifier for identifying the well W. For example, when acquiring the experimental conditions for an experimental operation to be performed on the culture object accommodated in the first well W1, the control unit 400 acquires the experimental conditions linked to the identifier indicating the first well W1.

[0066] Examples of experimental conditions acquired by the control unit 400 include "date and time when the culture of the culture subject began," "name of the experimental work," "name or symbol of the experimental worker," "name or symbol of the experimental location," "temperature and humidity during the experimental work," "name of the cell strain that is the culture subject," "type of medium in which the cells that are the culture subject are cultured," "information indicating the environment of the medium in which the cells that are the culture subject are cultured," or "the number of times the cells that are the culture subject have been passaged."

[0067] Here, passaging refers to an operation of harvesting a portion of the cultured cells and transferring them to a new medium (e.g., another well). The "experimental conditions" acquired by the control unit 400 are not limited to those input by the experiment operator, but may be information actively acquired by the experiment support system 1000. For example, the control unit 400 may acquire the date and time when the experiment support system 1000 started the experimental work as the "date and time when the culture of the culture object started."

[0068] In addition, the information indicating the cell line name, type of medium, medium environment, and number of passages may be obtained by the control unit 400 acquiring an image of a container in which the cells are stored before being cultured in the well W, and having the control unit 400 read from the image the information indicating the cell line name, type of medium, medium environment, and number of passages written on the image.

[0069] The display device 600 is a display device such as a display, a smartphone, or a tablet connected by wire or wirelessly to the control unit 400. An experiment operator can check the information output from the control unit 400 to the display device 600 by checking the display device 600.

[0070] Next, a description will be given of an example of an experimental operation in the experiment support system 1000. The following describes an experimental operation in which cells contained in the first well W1 of the culture container 100 are observed by the experimental device 300, which is a microscope.

[0071] First, when the experiment support system 1000 is started, the control unit 400 executes a well identification process. In the well identification process, the reader 200 reads the first identification part R1 and acquires an identifier indicating the first well W1. The control unit 400 acquires from the reader 200 the identifier indicating the first well W1 acquired by the reader 200.

[0072] Next, the control unit 400 executes an experimental condition receiving step. In the experimental condition receiving step, the control unit 400 receives input of experimental conditions (for example, the name of a cell line).

[0073] In the experimental condition reception process, the control unit 400 may receive input of the experimental conditions entered by the experimental operator using the input device 500, or may acquire the experimental conditions by reading an image, etc., of a container in which the cells to be cultured are stored.

[0074] The control unit 400 may also acquire preset experimental conditions. Here, the control unit 400 acquires the experimental conditions linked to an identifier indicating a well W (here, the first well W1) that contains a culture object for performing an experimental operation.

[0075] For example, when an experimental operator inputs experimental conditions into the control unit 400 using the input device 500, the experimental conditions are input in association with an identifier indicating the first well W1, and the control unit 400 acquires the experimental conditions linked to the identifier indicating the first well W1.

[0076] Next, the control unit 400 executes a data acquisition step. In the data acquisition step, the control unit 400 controls the experimental apparatus 300 (here, a microscope) to acquire experimental data (here, images) of the experimental operation (here, observation and photography) performed by the experimental apparatus 300 on the cell accommodated in the first well W1. At this time, the settings of the observation mode, magnification, etc. when the experimental apparatus 300, which is a microscope, performs the experimental operation may be set based on a command from the control unit 400, or may be set in the experimental apparatus 300 in advance.

[0077] When observing and photographing cells contained in a well W with a microscope, the observation and photographing are generally performed from above UP of the culture vessel 100. At this time, if an identification part R is provided on the cover part 20 so as to overlap with the well W in a plan view from above UP as shown in Fig. 3, the culture object can be observed and photographed without being obstructed by the identification part R by adjusting the focus of the microscope on the culture object.

[0078] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned well identification step, the reader 200 that reads the identification portion R may be included in the experimental equipment 300. For example, when the experimental equipment 300 is a microscope, the optical system of the microscope that observes and photographs the culture object may be the reader 200, and the identification portion R may be read by the optical system of the microscope. In this case, the control unit 400 acquires, via the experimental equipment 300, the identifier of the identification portion R read by the reader 200 included in the experimental equipment 300.

[0079] 3, when the identification unit R is provided on the lid unit 20, the identifier of the identification unit R can be read by focusing the optical system of the microscope on the identification unit R without removing the lid unit 20. When observing and photographing the culture object contained in the well W, the optical system of the microscope is focused on the culture object, and the culture object is observed and photographed.

[0080] The control unit 400 associates the identifier indicating the first well W1 acquired in the well identifying step with the experimental operation by the experimental apparatus 300, and acquires the experimental data associated with the identifier indicating the first well W1. The experimental data acquired by the control unit 400 may be data input by an experimental operator using the input device 500. In this case, the control unit 400 acquires the experimental data associated with the identifier indicating the first well W1 from the input device 500.

[0081] For example, the control unit 400 acquires an image of cells contained in the first well W1 in a state linked to an identifier that identifies the first well W1. At this time, the control unit 400 assigns information indicating the first well W1 (for example, a well ID) to the file name of the acquired image. Here, the file name is one of the management units for managing acquired or stored data in a computer (for example, the control unit 400). The file name is, for example, composed of an arbitrary character string.

[0082] By the control unit 400 acquiring experimental data linked to an identifier indicating the first well W1 containing the culture object, when an experimental operator checks an image taken of the first well W1, the operator can search for information indicating the first well W1 using the input device 500 or the display device 600 for the control unit 400, and easily find and check the image taken of the first well W1 from among the many images stored in the control unit 400.

[0083] Furthermore, the control unit 400 acquires the experimental conditions linked to the identifier indicating the first well W1 in the above-mentioned experimental condition receiving step. Based on the identifier indicating the first well W1, the control unit 400 links the experimental conditions linked to the identifier indicating the first well W1 with the experimental data linked to the identifier indicating the first well W1.

[0084] Furthermore, the control unit 400 generates a data set including the experimental conditions linked to the identifier indicating the first well W1 and the experimental data linked to the identifier indicating the first well W1. Here, the data set generated by the control unit 400 is a collection of data including the linked experimental conditions and the experimental data.

[0085] The control unit 400 generates a data set in which data including the experimental conditions and data during the experiment are arranged in a tabular format, for example, and outputs the tabular data set to the display device 600. The display device 600 is capable of displaying the acquired data set.

[0086] An experiment operator can easily check the experimental conditions in the experimental work performed by the experiment support system 1000 and the experimental data linked to these experimental conditions by checking the data set displayed on the display device 600. The data set generated by the control unit 400 may include an identifier indicating the well W.

[0087] For example, the dataset generated by the control unit 400 includes an identifier (e.g., a well ID) indicating the first well W1, the name of the cell strain contained in the first well W1 (experimental conditions), and an image of the cells contained in the first well W1 captured by the experimental apparatus 300.

[0088] By checking the dataset displayed on the display device 600, the experimental operator can confirm the name of the cell strain contained in the first well W1 and the image taken of the cells contained in the first well W1 in a linked state.

[0089] The experiment support system 1000 may include multiple experiment apparatuses 300. For example, if the experiment support system 1000 includes two experiment apparatuses 300, one of the experiment apparatuses 300 is referred to as a first experiment apparatus and the other experiment apparatus 300 is referred to as a second experiment apparatus.

[0090] Here, the first experimental device and the second experimental device are experimental devices 300 that perform different experimental operations. For example, the first experimental device is the above-mentioned microscope, and the second experimental device is a culture medium exchange device that automatically exchanges culture media. In this case, the experiment support system 1000 observes and photographs the culture object in the first experimental device, and exchanges the culture medium for the culture object in the second experimental device.

[0091] For example, in the experiment support system 1000, it is assumed that cells, which are the objects to be cultured, are contained in the first well W1 of the culture container 100 when an experiment is carried out using the first and second experimental devices.

[0092] In the data acquisition step, the control unit 400 first controls the first experimental device and acquires an image of the cells contained in the first well W1 captured by a microscope as experimental data (first experimental data) in the first experimental device. At this time, the first experimental data is linked to the identifier indicating the first well W1 acquired by the control unit 400 in the well identification step, as described above.

[0093] Next, the control unit 400 controls the second experimental device, and the second experimental device exchanges the medium for the cells to be cultured. For example, the second well W2 is filled with a new medium, and the second experimental device moves the cells to be cultured from the first well W1 to the second well W2. At this time, in order to prevent the cells to be cultured from being contaminated, it is preferable that the medium exchange is performed inside a safety cabinet.

[0094] The control unit 400 acquires, as the experimental data (second experimental data) for the second experimental device, information indicating the date and time when the medium exchange was performed by the second experimental device and the new medium (here, the second well W2).

[0095] Here, the second experimental data is linked to an identifier indicating the first well W1 acquired by the control unit 400 in the well identifying step. Therefore, the second experimental data includes not only information indicating the second well W2, which is a new medium, but also information indicating the first well W1 in which the cells were accommodated before the medium was replaced. In other words, the second experimental data includes information indicating that the cells have been moved from the first well W1 to the second well W2.

[0096] When an experiment is to be performed again on the culture vessel 100 after the above-mentioned medium replacement, the reader 200 in the experiment support system 1000 reads the second identification part R2 and obtains an identifier indicating the second well W2.

[0097] Furthermore, the control unit 400 may perform the medium exchange in the second experimental device without moving the cells, which are the culture objects, from the first well W1 to another well W. In this case, the second experimental device performs the medium exchange by replacing the medium liquid with a new one in the first well W1 in which the cells, which are the culture objects, are accommodated.

[0098] The control unit 400 acquires, as the second experimental data, information indicating the date and time when the medium was exchanged by the second experimental device and the new medium liquid exchanged. That is, the second experimental data includes information indicating that the medium liquid in the first well W1 was exchanged.

[0099] When an experiment is to be performed again on the culture vessel 100 after the above-mentioned medium replacement, the reader 200 in the experiment support system 1000 reads the first identification part R1 and obtains again the identifier indicating the first well W1.

[0100] Furthermore, in the medium exchange in the second experimental device, the control unit 400 may perform medium exchange by moving the cells, which are the culture object, to a culture vessel 100A other than the culture vessel 100 having the first well W1 in which the cells, which are the culture object, are accommodated. In this case, the second experimental device moves the cells accommodated in the first well W1 of the culture vessel 100 to a well of the culture vessel 100A other than the culture vessel 100. A medium liquid is poured into the well of the culture vessel 100A, which is the destination of the movement.

[0101] The control unit 400 acquires, as the second experimental data, information indicating the date and time when the medium exchange was performed by the second experimental device and the new medium (here, the well of the culture vessel 100A). The control unit 400 also acquires an identifier indicating the first well W1 of the culture vessel 100 in which the cells are accommodated before the medium exchange, and an identifier indicating the well of the culture vessel 100A in which the cells are accommodated after the medium exchange.

[0102] Therefore, the second experimental data is linked to an identifier indicating the first well W1 of the culture vessel 100 in which the cells are accommodated before the medium change and an identifier indicating the well of the culture vessel 100A in which the cells are accommodated after the medium change, and includes information indicating the first well W1 of the culture vessel 100 and information indicating the well of the culture vessel 100A. That is, the second experimental data includes information indicating that the cells have been moved from the first well W1 of the culture vessel 100 to the well of the culture vessel 100A.

[0103] When performing experimental work again on the culture vessel 100A after the above-mentioned culture medium replacement, the reading device 200 in the experiment support system 1000 reads the identification portion R corresponding to the well of the culture vessel 100A and obtains an identifier indicating the well of the culture vessel 100A.

[0104] The control unit 400 links the first experimental data and the second experimental data based on the identifier indicating the first well W1. The control unit 400 also generates a data set including the first experimental data and the second experimental data linked to the first experimental data. At this time, the data set generated by the control unit 400 may include the experimental conditions acquired in the experimental condition receiving step.

[0105] In this data set, the experimental conditions, the first experimental data, and the second experimental data are linked based on an identifier indicating a well W (here, the first well W1) containing cells as the culture object. The control unit 400 outputs this data set to the display device 600.

[0106] Therefore, even if the experiment support system 1000 is equipped with multiple experimental equipment 300 and experimental operations are performed using the multiple experimental equipment 300, the experimental operator can check the experimental data (first experimental data and second experimental data) generated by the experimental operations of the multiple experimental equipment 300 in a state linked to the experimental conditions.

[0107] When the experiment support system 1000 includes a plurality of experimental devices 300, the experiment support system 1000 may include a transport device capable of transporting the incubation container 100. The transport device is, for example, a small robot device capable of transporting the incubation container 100.

[0108] The control unit 400 is connected to the transport device by wire or wirelessly and can control the transport device. The transport device has a clamping hand, an adsorption hand, a hook-shaped hand, or the like capable of holding the culture vessel 100.

[0109] The experiment support system 1000 includes a rail section provided near the first experiment device and the second experiment device, and the transport device includes a moving mechanism that can move along the rail section. The moving mechanism of the transport device is, for example, a wheel that can be rotated by an electric motor, or a linear motion mechanism that uses an electric motor and a ball screw, etc.

[0110] The experiment support system 1000 includes a detection unit capable of detecting the position of the transport device. The control unit 400 controls the transport device based on the detection result detected by the detection unit. For example, when the detection unit is a photosensor provided on the rail unit, the control unit 400 obtains the detection result detected by the photosensor and obtains the position of the transport device. The detection unit may be an image capturing device capable of capturing an image of the experiment support system 1000. In this case, the control unit 400 obtains the position of the transport device based on the image captured by the image capturing device.

[0111] The control unit 400 controls the transport device based on the detection result of the detection unit, thereby moving the transport device from the vicinity of the first experimental device to the vicinity of the second experimental device, and conversely, the control unit 400 moves the transport device from the vicinity of the second experimental device to the vicinity of the first experimental device.

[0112] For example, when the experiment support system 1000 performs an experiment using a first experimental device and a second experimental device, the control unit 400 controls the first experimental device to perform an experimental operation by the first experimental device and acquires first experimental data. Next, the control unit 400 causes the culture vessel 100 placed on the first experimental device to be held by a transport device.

[0113] Next, the control unit 400 moves the transport device holding the culture vessel 100 to the vicinity of the second experimental device, and places the culture vessel 100 on the second experimental device. At this time, the control unit 400 controls the transport device based on the detection result detected by the detection unit, and moves the transport device to the vicinity of the second experimental device.

[0114] After the transfer device places the incubation container 100 on the second experimental device, the control unit 400 controls the second experimental device to perform an experimental operation by the second experimental device and obtains second experimental data.

[0115] In this way, since the experiment support system 1000 is equipped with a transport device capable of transporting the culture container 100, even if the experiment support system 1000 is equipped with multiple experimental equipment 300, it can automatically transport the culture container 100 and acquire experimental data from the multiple experimental equipment 300.

[0116] The control unit 400 may generate an experiment report based on the data set generated by the control unit 400. Furthermore, the control unit 400 may be capable of transmitting the generated experiment report to an external device.

[0117] Here, an "experimental report" is a collection of data that includes data such as the experimental conditions and experimental data contained in the data set generated by the control unit 400, and that has been organized to make it easier for the experimental operator to review.

[0118] Furthermore, the "external" to which the control unit 400 transmits the experiment report is, for example, a computer, smartphone, tablet, or the like located away from the experiment site where the experiment support system 1000 is installed.

[0119] By the control unit 400 generating an experiment report based on the data set, the experiment operator can more efficiently check the experiment conditions and the experiment data acquired by the control unit 400. Furthermore, by the control unit 400 transmitting the experiment report to the outside, the experiment operator or other viewers can easily check the experiment report even in a place away from the experiment site.

[0120] According to the culture container 100 and the experiment support system 1000 of this embodiment, the culture container 100 comprises a plurality of wells W capable of accommodating a culture object in the internal space, a container main body portion 11 connecting the plurality of wells W, and a plurality of identification portions R (e.g., a first identification portion R1) having an identifier corresponding to each well W (e.g., a first well W1) of the plurality of wells W and identifying the well.

[0121] The experiment support system 1000 includes a culture container 100, an experimental apparatus 300 that performs an experimental operation on a culture object contained in a well W, a reading device 200 capable of acquiring an identifier from an identification unit R corresponding to the well W containing the culture object, and a control unit 400 capable of acquiring the identifier acquired by the reading device 200. The control unit 400 acquires experimental data linked to the identifier indicating the well W containing the culture object by linking the identifier acquired by the reading device 200 with the experimental operation in the experimental apparatus 300.

[0122] Therefore, the control unit 400 can easily link information indicating the well W in which the culture object is accommodated with experimental data in the experimental operation performed on the culture object. Also, the control unit 400 can link the experimental conditions acquired by the control unit 400 and multiple pieces of experimental data (e.g., first experimental data and second experimental data) in the experimental operations of multiple experimental devices 300.

[0123] As a result, it is possible to provide the incubation container 100 and the experiment support system 1000 that allow easy linking of the experiment data.

[0124] Furthermore, since the experimental data acquired by the control unit 400 is stored in a state linked to an identifier indicating the well W, an experimental operator can easily find the desired experimental data (e.g., image data) by performing a search using the identifier indicating the well W.

[0125] Furthermore, by linking the identifier indicating the well W with the experimental data by the control unit 400, errors in linking the experimental data can be suppressed and traceability can be improved, compared to when linking is done manually.

[0126] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design modifications and the like within the scope of the present invention are also included. In addition, the components shown in the above-mentioned embodiment and the modified examples shown below can be appropriately combined to form a configuration.

[0127] (Variation 1) In the above embodiment, the plurality of identifiers R are provided on the lid 20, but the form of the identifiers is not limited to this. The plurality of identifiers may be provided on the container.

[0128] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view that shows a schematic diagram of a container part 10A in an incubation container according to Modification 1. In the example shown in Fig. 5, a plurality of identification parts RA are provided in the container part 10A. Specifically, the plurality of identification parts RA are provided below the corresponding wells WA.

[0129] For example, the second identification part RA2 having an identifier indicating the second well WA2 is provided below the second well WA2 LO. Also, the fifth identification part RA5 having an identifier indicating the fifth well WA5 is provided below the fifth well WA5 LO. By providing the identification part RA in the container part 10A, the culture container does not need to include the lid part 20 in the above embodiment.

[0130] Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing typically another example of the container part in the culture container according to Modification 1. The container part 10B shown in Fig. 6 has a plurality of identification parts RB provided on the upper surface UP of the container main body part 11B.

[0131] Multiple identification portions RB are provided in the vicinity of corresponding wells W, for example, a first identification portion RB1 having an identifier indicating a first well W1 is provided on the upper UP surface of the container main body portion 11B and is provided in the vicinity of the first well W1.

[0132] Similarly, a second identification portion RB2 having an identifier indicating the second well W2, a third identification portion RB3 having an identifier indicating the third well W3, a fourth identification portion RB4 having an identifier indicating the fourth well W4, a fifth identification portion RB5 having an identifier indicating the fifth well W5, and a sixth identification portion RB6 having an identifier indicating the sixth well W6 are provided on the upper UP surface of the container main body 11B and are provided in the vicinity of the second well W2, the third well W3, the fourth well W4, the fifth well W5, and the sixth well W6, respectively.

[0133] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a schematic diagram of another example of the container part in the culture container according to Modification 1. Container body 11C in container part 10C shown in Fig. 7 includes upper surface 11Ca, side surface 11Cb, and bottom surface 11Cc. Each of the wells WC has a generally cylindrical shape with a flat bottom surface extending in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction V.

[0134] The upper surface portion 11Ca is a flat plate-like member that is connected to the edges of the openings in the upper part UP of the multiple wells WC and connects the multiple wells WC together.

[0135] The side surface portion 11Cb has an upper end UP connected to the outer periphery of the top surface portion 11Ca and is disposed to surround the multiple wells WC in the left-right direction H and the front-rear direction D.

[0136] The bottom surface portion 11Cc is a flat plate-like member connected to the end of the lower part LO of the side surface portion 11Cb and also connected to the bottom surfaces of the multiple wells WC.

[0137] The top surface portion 11Ca, the side surface portion 11Cb, and the bottom surface portion 11Cc form a rectangular parallelepiped as shown in FIG. 7, and a plurality of wells WC are disposed inside this rectangular parallelepiped.

[0138] 7, a plurality of identifiers RC are provided on the bottom surface 11Cc and are provided near the corresponding wells WC. For example, a first identifier RC1 having an identifier indicating a first well WC1 is provided on the bottom surface 11Cc and is provided near the first well WC1.

[0139] Similarly, a second identification portion RC2 having an identifier indicating the second well WC2, a third identification portion RC3 having an identifier indicating the third well WC3, a fourth identification portion RC4 having an identifier indicating the fourth well WC4, a fifth identification portion RC5 having an identifier indicating the fifth well WC5, and a sixth identification portion RC6 having an identifier indicating the sixth well WC6 are provided on the bottom portion 11Cc and are provided in the vicinity of the second well WC2, the third well WC3, the fourth well WC4, the fifth well WC5, and the sixth well WC6, respectively.

[0140] Here, the multiple identification parts RC are provided on approximately the same plane as the bottom surfaces of the multiple wells WC. Therefore, for example, when the experimental apparatus 300 is a microscope and the optical system of the microscope is used as the reading device 200, it is possible to read the identification parts RC and observe and photograph the culture objects contained in the wells WC without changing the focus of the optical system of the microscope.

[0141] Furthermore, when the identifiers RA, RB, RC are provided on the container parts 10A, 10B, 10C as in the culture container of the first modified example shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7, for example, in a work process of changing the medium, dispensing, or subculture, the identifiers RA, RB, RC can be read by a reader 200 provided on a pipette that handles the culture object. For example, a camera is provided on the pipette as the reader 200, and the identifiers RA, RB, RC, which are two-dimensional codes, are read by this camera.

[0142] By doing so, it is possible to read the identification parts RA, RB, and RC while maintaining the work process in conventional experimental work as much as possible. As a result, it is possible to easily link the experimental data while maintaining the work process in conventional experimental work as much as possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0143] 1000 Experiment Support System 100, 100A culture vessel 10, 10A, 10B, 10C container section W, WA, WC Multiple wells WS Storage space (internal space) WO Opening 11, 11B, 11C Container body 11Ca top part 11Cb Side part 11Cc Bottom part 20 Lid R, RA, RB, RC identification section 200 Reader 300 Experimental Equipment 400 Control section 500 Input Device 600 display device

Claims

1. A plurality of wells capable of accommodating culture objects in an internal space; A container body that connects the plurality of wells; A plurality of identification parts provided in pairs with the plurality of wells; Equipped with The identification unit has an identifier capable of identifying a corresponding well among the plurality of wells or the culture object accommodated in the corresponding well. Culture container.

2. The identification unit includes a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code having the identifier. The culture vessel according to claim 1 .

3. The well has an opening communicating with the internal space, Further comprising a lid portion for covering the opening of the well, The identification portion is provided on the lid portion and is provided in the vicinity of the corresponding well. The culture vessel according to claim 1 .

4. The well has an opening communicating with the internal space, the container body is connected to an edge of the opening of the well; The identification portion is provided on the container body and is provided in the vicinity of the corresponding well. The culture vessel according to claim 1 .

5. The well is generally cylindrical having a bottom surface; The identification portion is provided on the bottom surface of the corresponding well. The culture vessel according to claim 1 .

6. The well is generally cylindrical having a bottom surface; the container body includes a bottom surface portion connected to the bottom surface of the well, The identification portion is provided on the bottom surface portion and is provided in the vicinity of the corresponding well. The culture vessel according to claim 1 .

7. The identification unit has the identifier readable by an optical system of a microscope. The culture vessel according to claim 1 .

8. The culture vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 7, an experimental device for performing an experimental operation on the culture object accommodated in the well; a reader capable of acquiring the identifier from the identification unit corresponding to the well in which the culture object is contained; A control unit capable of acquiring the identifier acquired by the reader; Equipped with The control unit is Linking the identifier to the experimental operation; Acquire experimental data in the experimental operation; Acquiring the experimental data associated with the identifier; Experiment support system.

9. The control unit is Acquire experimental conditions including information on the culture object and linked to the identifier; Linking the experimental conditions to the experimental data based on the identifier; generating a data set comprising said experimental conditions and said experimental data; The experiment support system according to claim 8.

10. The experimental equipment includes: A first experimental apparatus; A second experimental device that performs the experimental operation different from that of the first experimental device; Equipped with The control unit is The first experimental data, which is the experimental data in the first experimental device, and the second experimental data, which is the experimental data in the second experimental device, are linked based on the identifier; generating the data set comprising the first experimental data and the second experimental data; The experiment support system according to claim 9.

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