System For Propagating Cells

Abstract

Provided is a system and a method for propagating cells, the system comprising a multi well plate and a plate sealing means for sealing at least one well of a multiwell plate, the plate sealing means comprising at least one solid bulge or at least one bulge comprising a solid base, said at least one bulge consisting of a resilient elastomer to securely seal at least one well of the multiwell plate. Also disclosed is the use of such a system for propagating cells and the corresponding method.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system for propagating cells, said system comprising a multiwell plate and a plate sealing means for sealing a plurality of wells of the multiwell plate, wherein the plate sealing means is made of a resilient elastomer,
 wherein at least two neighbouring wells of the multiwell plate are in fluid connection with one another by means of at least one channel connecting said two wells.   
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the plate sealing means comprises at least two openings arranged at positions of said at least two wells that are in fluid connection with one another, thereby providing an inlet opening and an outlet opening present in the multiwell plate system. 
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 22 , wherein the inlet opening and the outlet opening are configured as bores through the plate sealing means. 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the plate sealing means comprises a resilient mat made of a gas-permeable, antistatic silicone rubber. 
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the plate sealing means is a planar mat comprised in a lid that further comprises a plate and a circumferential brim. 
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 25 , wherein said circumferential brim has latches at opposite sides of the lid for engaging in grooves of the multiwell plate, and wherein said plate has through bores which align with the wells of the multiwell plate upon being mounted thereto. 
     
     
         27 . The system according to  claim 26 , wherein each of the wells of the multiwell plate comprises a circumferential edge protruding from the upper face of the multiwell plate. 
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 21  any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wells of the multiwell plate comprise a central deepening in the middle of the bottom of the well, defining a microtissue culture compartment. 
     
     
         29 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the inlet opening and the outlet opening is provided with a funnel or chimney. 
     
     
         30 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein at least a portion of the wells of the multiwell plate is provided with an ultra-low attachment surface. 
     
     
         31 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the resilient elastomer has an oxygen permeability of more than 1*109 cm3*cm/(s*cm2*cmHg). 
     
     
         32 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the resilient elastomer is selected from the group consisting of silicone rubber, dimethylsilicone rubber vinyl methyl siloxane, phenyl vinyl methyl siloxane, fluorosilicone rubber, nitrile rubber and natural rubber. 
     
     
         33 . The system according to  claim 21 , further comprising means for controlling the temperature within the wells. 
     
     
         34 . The system according to  claim 21 , further comprising a temperature data logger as a portable measurement instrument. 
     
     
         35 . A process for propagating cells, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a multiwell plate;   introducing a suspension comprising at least one cell into at least one well of the multiwell plate;   sealing at least the well of the multiwell plate bearing the suspension containing at least one cell with a plate sealing means defined in  claim 21 .   
     
     
         36 . The process according to  claim 35 , wherein the plate sealing means comprises at least two openings arranged at positions of said at least two wells that are in fluid connection with one another, thereby providing an inlet opening and an outlet opening present in the multiwell plate system. 
     
     
         37 . The process according to  claim 35 , further comprising propagating the cells at a temperature of between 4° C. and 37° C. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37  or  38 , further comprising continuously or discontinuously replacing culture medium. 
     
     
         39 . A process of propagating cells comprising providing and propagating said cells in at least one well of a multiwell plate of a system according to  claim 21 . 
     
     
         40 . A pharmacological test assay comprising cultivating cells in a system according to claim  1  and testing the toxicity of a drug or a chemical compound on said cells.