Self-contained mold for culture and transport of 3D cellular gels

A system for preparing and transporting a cellular or acellular construct for controlled extraction of the construct, the system comprising:

• a sample constructed within a three-dimensional cellular scaffold and culture media;
• a block including a block height of at least twenty millimeters, a block width that is more than the block height, a block length that is more than the block width, a three-dimensional cavity for constructing the sample in three dimensions, wherein the block is made from a bio-inert material that does not produce an adverse effect with said sample, wherein the three-dimensional cavity comprises:
• a cavity height that is identical to the block height,
• a first sub-cavity having a first mechanical constraint,
• a second sub-cavity having a second mechanical constraint,
• a third, elongated sub-cavity, wherein the first sub-cavity and the second sub-cavity are located at each end of the third, elongated sub-cavity, and
• a dog-bone and/or cruciform shape;
• a base including a base height that is less than the block height, wherein the base is made from a bio-inert material;
• and
• an impermeable, removable sheet inserted into a cutout in the base and slid beneath the block.