Apparatuses for and methods of processing cells and related structures
Apparatus for processing life-based organic particles, including particles selected from the list comprising cells, cellular spheroids, tissues, eukaryotes, micro-organisms, organs or embryos, comprises a hollow volume ( 10 ) that (a) is internally divided into at least first ( 14 ), second ( 16 ) and third ( 17 ) sub-volumes by at least two phaseguides ( 12, 13 ) formed inside the volume and (b) includes parts that are relatively upstream and relatively downstream when judged with reference to the movement of a meniscus or a bulk liquid in the volume ( 10 ). The apparatus includes at least first, second and third fluid conduits ( 19, 21, 22 ) connected to permit fluid communication between the upstream exterior of the volume ( 10 ) and a respective said sub-volume ( 14, 16, 17 ); and at least one further conduit ( 24 ) connected to permit fluid communication between the downstream exterior of the volume ( 10 ) and a said sub-volume. The first sub-volume ( 14 ) contains one or more life-based particles supported in or by a gel or gel-like substance; and the second sub-volume ( 16 ) communicates with the first sub-volume so as to permit transport of substances between the first and second sub-volumes ( 14, 16 ) and contains at least one gel or gel-like substance.
1. Apparatus for processing life-based organic particles including particles selected from the list comprising cells, cellular spheroids, tissues, eukaryotes, micro-organisms, organs or embryos, the apparatus comprising a hollow volume that (a) has at least two confining phaseguides formed inside the volume to define at least first, second and third sub-volumes by separating the at least first, second and third sub-volumes from one another; and (b) includes parts that are relatively upstream and relatively downstream when judged with reference to the movement of a meniscus or a bulk liquid in the volume, the apparatus including at least first, second and third fluid conduits connected to permit fluid communication between the upstream exterior of the volume and a respective said sub-volume; and at least one further conduit connected to permit fluid communication between the downstream exterior of the volume and a said sub-volume, the first said sub-volume containing or chargeable with one or more life-based particles supported in or by a gel or gel-like substance; and the second sub-volume communicating with the first sub-volume so as to permit transport of substances between the first and second sub-volumes and containing or chargeable with at least one gel or gel-like substance, wherein each of the at least two confining phaseguides is a protruding three-dimensional structure, or an area on an internal surface of a volume that is of a differing degree of wettability, located at the boundary between two of the sub-volumes, wherein each of the at least two confining phaseguides spans the complete length, width, or height of the meniscus and represents a pressure barrier for advancement or recession of this meniscus.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the third sub-volume communicates with at least the first sub-volume so as to permit transport of substances between the first and third sub-volumes, and wherein the third sub-volume contains or is chargeable with a perfusate.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the apparatus is configured to allow the perfusate to flow inside the third sub-volume.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second sub-volume contains one or more cells, cellular spheroids, tissues, eukaryotes, micro-organisms, organs or embryos supported in or by the gel or gel-like substance.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the one or more cells, cellular spheroids, tissues, eukaryotes, micro-organisms, organs or embryos in the second sub-volume differ from the one or more cells, cellular spheroids, tissues, eukaryotes, microorganisms, organs or embryos in the first sub-volume.
6. Apparatus according to claim 1 , including a third confining phaseguide defining a fourth sub-volume inside the volume.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the fourth sub-volume communicates with at least the first sub-volume so as to permit transport of substances between the first and fourth sub-volumes, and wherein the fourth sub-volume contains or is chargeable with a perfusate.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the apparatus is configured to allow the perfusate to flow inside the third sub-volume.
9. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the fourth sub-volume contains or is chargeable with a fluid substance the effect of which on one or more cells, cellular spheroids, tissues, eukaryotes, micro-organisms, organs or embryos in the first volume is required to be investigated.
10. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the third and fourth sub-volumes contain or are chargeable with fluid substances that give rise to a concentration gradient in at least the first sub-volume.
11. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the fluid substance is or includes a liquid or liquid-based substance.
12. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the fourth sub-volume contains or is chargeable with a gas.
13. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least the first sub-volume includes one or more phaseguides that stratify the gel or gel-like substance therein.
14. Apparatus according to claim 1 , including connected to at least the first fluid conduit connected to the first sub-volume a further volume; and the apparatus including one or more phaseguides that control the transmission of liquids or liquid-based substances to the further volume such that on charging of the first volume with a predetermined quantity of a gel or gel-like substance any gel or gel-like substance in excess of the predetermined quantity enters the further volume.
15. Apparatus according to claim 1 , including at least one contour phaseguide in the volume between the first and second sub-volumes and arranged to maintain a predetermined shape of a boundary of a gel or gel-like substance in at least the first sub-volume.
16. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the phaseguides do not completely span the cross-section of the chamber.
17. Apparatus for processing life-based organic particles including particles selected from the list comprising cells, cellular spheroids, tissues, eukaryotes, micro-organisms, organs or embryos, the apparatus comprising a hollow volume that (a) has at least two confining phaseguides formed inside the volume to define at least first, second and third sub-volumes by separating the at least first, second and third sub-volumes from one another; and (b) includes parts that are relatively upstream and relatively downstream when judged with reference to the movement of a meniscus or a bulk liquid in the volume, the apparatus including at least first, second and third fluid conduits connected to permit fluid communication between the upstream exterior of the volume and a respective said sub-volume; and at least one further conduit connected to permit fluid communication between the downstream exterior of the volume and a said sub-volume, the first said sub-volume containing or chargeable with one or more life-based particles supported in or by a gel or gel-like substance; and the second sub-volume communicating with the first sub-volume so as to permit transport of substances between the first and second sub-volumes and containing or chargeable with at least one gel or gel-like substance, wherein each of the at least two confining phaseguides is a protruding three-dimensional structure, wherein each of the at least two confining phaseguides spans the complete length, width, or height of the meniscus and represents a pressure barrier for advancement or recession of this meniscus.