Devices, systems and methods for the production of humanized gut commensal microbiota

A system for the ex vivo production of human gut microbiota, comprising:

• a tortuous, tubular ex vivo culture network comprising-hollow cartridges for culturing human gut microbiota, wherein the hollow cartridges are in the fluid communication and removably attached to the tortuous tubular ex vivo culture network and comprise human gut microbiota and metabolites;
• a humidifying system in fluid communication with the tortuous tubular ex vivo culture network to maintain physiological humidity inside the tortuous tubular ex vivo culture network;
• a temperature regulation system in contact with the tortuous tubular ex vivo culture network to regulate the temperature inside the tortuous tubular ex vivo culture network to physiological temperature;
• and
• a hollow functional screening portal comprising extracellular matrix proteins, human cells, and metabolites generated by the microbiota in the tortuous tubular ex vivo culture network, wherein the screening portal receives oxygen and other gases for culturing the human cells from a gas system in fluid communication with the tortuous tubular ex vivo culture network, wherein the functional screening portal is separated from the microbiota column with a semi-permeable membrane;
• and
• a tunable, gas gradient of 0.8-2.0% oxygen or 2-60 mm Hg in the tortuous tubular ex vivo culture network.