Transmembrane cell culture device

A transmembrane cell culture system comprising:

• a cell culture insert comprising an upper portion, a lower portion, a sidewall comprising an inner and outer surface and extending from said upper portion to said lower portion and a permeable membrane having an inside surface and a bottom surface and attached to said lower portion;
• a support for accommodating the culturing of cells on a bottom side of said cell culture insert comprising:
• a longitudinal axis;
• a top portion and a bottom portion;
• an annular skirt extending from said top portion to said bottom portion and having an inner surface and an outer surface;
• an inner inverted skirt portion defining a culture chamber extending from said top portion to a lower portion and surrounded by said inner surface of said annular skirt;
• an annular flat lip having a top surface and a bottom surface on said lower portion of said inner inverted skirt;
• a flange extending from said bottom portion of said annular skirt;
• a gasket material comprising a double sided adhesive that is located on said bottom surface of said annular flat lip on said lower portion of said inverted skirt;
• wherein said annular flat lip mates with said lower portion of said cell culture insert so as to culture cells on said bottom surface of said permeable membrane;
• and
• wherein said flat lip is spaced from said flange such that the culture insert is contained within the annular skirt.