Support device for cells culture

1 . A cell culture device, comprising at least one cell culture well intended for receiving cells with their culture medium, said device comprising at least one cell-supporting layer of porous material, this layer being obtained by dehydration of an aqueous gel which is poured directly either into said well bottom, or into the bottom of a cradle or insert of a size which is adapted for being insertable into the volume of the well.

2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the dehydration is carried out by freeze-drying or by heat dehydration.

3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein at least the bottom of the well or of the cradle or insert containing the layer of porous material is sterilized after said dehydration, in a watertight packaging.

4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the complete culture device is sterilized, in a watertight packaging.

5 . The device of claim 3 , wherein the sterilization is selected from the group consisting of a sterilization by irradiation with beta or gamma rays, and a sterilization by treatment with a sterilizing gas.

6 . The device of claim 1 , comprising an element maintaining in position at least the peripheral edge of the layer of porous material.

7 . The device of claim 6 , wherein said position maintaining element is ensuring watertightness at the peripheral interface of said layer of porous material and of the internal side wall facing it at the well bottom.

8 . The device of claim 6 , wherein the position-maintaining element is of a size which is sufficient to take support on said peripheral edge of the layer of porous material and to ensure the watertightness at said peripheral interface.

9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said bottom of the well or of the cradle is detachable and joinable to the well.

10 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said bottom of the well or of the cradle is joined by fitting with slight forcing or snap-engagement to the well, ensuring the watertightness.

11 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said bottom of the well or of the cradle is joined to the outside of the well or of the cradle, the lower edge of the side wall of the well or of the cradle constituting an element maintaining in position the peripheral edge of said layer of porous material.

12 . The device of claim 1 , wherein at least one part of the internal wall of the bottom or of the cradle is treated by a treatment for promoting the cell culture selected from a physical treatment, a chemical treatment, a biological treatment, and any combination of same.

13 . The device of claim 12 , wherein the internal wall is treated with a coating selected from a coating which promotes the adhesion and a coating which promotes the proliferation of the cells.

14 . The device of claim 1 , comprising a plurality of cradles or inserts per culture well

15 . The device of claim 14 , comprising a lid which is provided with as many orifices as cradles or inserts, each orifice enabling receiving and maintaining in position a cradle or insert.

16 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the aqueous gel comprises collagen.

17 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the aqueous gel comprises a mixture of collagen and at least one polysaccharide.

18 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the aqueous gel comprises a mixture of collagen, at least one polysaccharide and/or chitosan.

19 . A roboticizable or automatable platform which comprises a device as claimed in claim 1 .

20 . The platform of claim 19 , wherein said platform is constructed to position the substrates to allow an automatic placing of a device for injecting, or for aspirating, of culture medium in, or from, said cell culture device,

21 . The platform of claim 20 , where in said platform is commanded by a robot or an automaton itself commanded by a computer.