Method and apparatus for co-culturing cells

US5763275A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Heraeus Instruments GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Hans-Otto Nagels · Bovenden, DE
• Dieter Schroder · Wolfsburg, DE
• Eckart Kopowski · Braunschweig, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 9, 1996
• Grant date: Jun 9, 1998
• Expiry date: Sep 9, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12M35/08
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The method relates to the co-culturing of two cell cultures in two cell culture chambers such that the cellular products produced by the co-cultured cells are exchanged between the two cell culture chambers. The apparatus for culturing the cells contains two cell culture chambers separated by a microfiltration membrane which is permeable to medium, gases, and cellular products, and is impermeable to cells. A culture medium supply chamber is adjacent to and separated from the first cell culture chamber by a dialysis membrane which is permeable to medium and gases. The exterior portion of the second cell culture contains a gas-exchange membrane which allows gas exchange between the apparatus and the environment. The apparatus can be in a modular form where the first and second cell culture chambers form one module which is detachable from the culture medium supply chamber which forms the second module. The method and apparatus allows the exchange of media, gases, and cellular products between the two cell cultures while preventing direct contact of the two cell cultures.