Patent ID: 7935522

Claim:
Apparatus microfabricated for performing cell growth and cell based assays in a liquid medium, said apparatus comprising: a) a base plate supporting a plurality of micro-channel elements, each comprising a cell growth chamber, an inlet channel for supplying liquid sample to said chamber and an outlet channel for removal of liquid sample from said chamber; b) a cover plate positioned over said base plate said cover plate extending over said elements so as to define said chambers and connecting channels; and c) a plurality of holes in said apparatus in communication with said channels for supplying liquid sample to said chamber and removal of liquid sample from said chamber, wherein one or more components of the apparatus comprise a gas permeable film or membrane adapted to allow the use of CO 2 -buffered media in the cell growth chamber and to allow oxygen to permeate to the cells for their metabolism during growth, wherein at least some of said micro-channel elements each further comprises one or more assay chambers for performing assays involving cellular constituents, the assay chambers being connected in line between said cell growth chamber and said outlet channel.