An apparatus for performing a biological or biochemical reaction that, in certain embodiments, has the ability to generate flow in a reaction site container by applying a force to a liquid medium that is outside of the reaction site container. In some embodiments, a flow generating component such as a gas bubble moves within a container and forces an agitating fluid to move through a reaction site container. In some embodiments, the movement of the agitating fluid applies shear stress to cells that are maintained within the reaction site container.
Methods for forming chemical and/or biological products in reactors, and/or analyzing chemical and/or biological interactions in reactors are provided. The methods relate, more specifically, to forming such products and/or carrying out such analyses in small volume reactors with control over overall fluid volume in the reactors. The methods can be used to mimic processes in large scale reactors and/or to obtain reaction or interaction information relevant to large scale reactors (e.g., to adjust/optimize large- scale reactor processes). Advantageously, the methods can allow parameters of small scale reactors to be correlated with those of large scale reactors, where desired.
C12P 1/00 - Preparation of compounds or compositions, not provided for in groups , by using microorganisms or enzymesGeneral processes for the preparation of compounds or compositions by using microorganisms or enzymes
C12M 1/00 - Apparatus for enzymology or microbiology
3.
COMPUTERIZED FACTORIAL EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND CONTROL OF REACTION SITES AND ARRAYS THEREOF
Computer-facilitated design of large-scale, multi-factorial cell culture experiments and the like, and control of reaction sites and/or arrays of reaction sites to perform such experiments using automated devices. In certain cases, the invention is directed to controlling a plurality of cell culture experiments, e.g., using an automated cell culture device. In one set of embodiments, a data structure or a 'descriptor' for use with cell culture experiments is provided. The descriptor may be used, for instance, to control one or more cell culture experiments, to identify one or more cell culture experiments, and/or to identify or 'tag' data arising from one or more cell culture experiments, e.g., for further analysis or recall.
Fluid transfer devices described herein can include a body portion and a tip portion. A fluid pathway extends through the body and tip portions through which fluid may be transferred, for example, from a fluid-dispensing apparatus to a fluidic chamber of a microreactor. In some embodiments, the fluid transfer device is connected to the fluid-dispensing apparatus with an engaging element. The engaging element may be part of the body, and can enable the dispensing apparatus to repeatedly engage the body at one predetermined position. The body is capable of storing the fluid received from the dispensing apparatus. The tip portion may be formed of a rigid material (e.g., a metal), and/or may be configured to repeatedly pierce a septum without damaging either the tip or the body. Advantageously, in certain embodiments, the fluid transfer device can controllably transfer small volumes of fluid (e.g., 1 騜L) with a high degree of accuracy.
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