# US 7,407,799 B2 · Microfluidic chemostat > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,407,799 B2 - Document ID: US7407799B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/012,852 - Filed: 2004-12-14 - Published: 2005-07-28 - Granted: 2008-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2004-01-16 - Assignees: California Institute of Technology - Inventors: Frederick Balagadde; Carl L. Hansen; Emil Kartalov; Stephen R. Quake - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7407799B2 ## CPC - C12P 19/04: Polysaccharides, i.e. compounds containing more than five saccharide radicals attached to each other by glycosidic bonds - B01L 3/5027: {by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip} - C12M 23/16: {Microfluidic devices; Capillary tubes (integrated microfluidic structures B01L3/5027; microreactors B01J19/0093)} - C12M 23/34: {Internal compartments or partitions} - C12M 39/00: {Means for cleaning the apparatus or avoiding unwanted deposits of microorganisms (apparatus for cleaning laboratory receptacles or instruments B01L13/02; cleaning in general B08B)} - C12P 1/00: Preparation of compounds or compositions, not provided for in groups C12P3/00 - C12P39/00, by using microorganisms or enzymes - B01L 3/502738: {characterised by integrated valves (throttle valves in microfluidic sample containers B01L3/502746)} - B01L 2300/0861: Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices - B01L 2300/0877: Flow chambers - B01L 2300/10: Means to control humidity and/or other gases - B01L 2300/163: Biocompatibility - B01L 2400/0481: squeezing of channels or chambers - B01L 2400/0655: pinch valves - C12P: FERMENTATION OR ENZYME-USING PROCESSES TO SYNTHESISE A DESIRED CHEMICAL COMPOUND OR COMPOSITION OR TO SEPARATE OPTICAL ISOMERS FROM A RACEMIC MIXTURE {(brewing of beer C12C; producing vinegar C12J; producing specific peptides or proteins C07K; producing enzymes C12N9/00; DNA or RNA concerning genetic engineering, vectors, e.g. plasmids, or their isolation, preparation or purification C12N15/00; measuring or testing processes involving enzymes or microorganisms C12Q; measuring or testing processes involving nucleic acid amplification reactions C12Q1/6844; fermentation processes to form a food composition, A21 or A23; compounds in general, see the relevant compound class, e.g. C01, C07)} - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - C12M: APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; {APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS} ## Abstract A chemostat is described that includes a growth chamber having a plurality of compartments. Each of the compartments may be fluidly isolated from the rest of the growth chamber by one or more actuatable valves. The chemostat may also include a nutrient supply-line to supply growth medium to the growth chamber, and an output port to remove fluids from the growth chamber. Also, a method of preventing biofilm formation in a growth chamber of a chemostat is described. The method may include the steps of adding a lysis agent to a isolated portion of the growth chamber, and reuniting the isolated portion with the rest of the growth chamber. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A chemostat chip comprising one or more chemostats, wherein each of the chemostats includes a first compartment adaptable to hold one or more cells and a second compartment adaptable to receive a lysis agent, and wherein the first and second compartments are separated by an actuatable valve that when opened can permit the one or more cells to travel from the first compartment to the second compartment, and when closed can isolate the one or more cells in the second compartment before exposing the second compartment to the lysis agent, wherein said chemostat chip further comprises a growth chamber having a plurality of compartments; wherein each of the compartments may be fluidly isolated from the rest of the growth chamber by one or more actuatable valves; wherein the compartments of the growth chamber are connected in a loop; a nutrient supply-line to supply growth medium to the growth chamber; and an output port to remove fluids from the growth chamber. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The chemostat chip of claim 1, wherein an actuatable supply valve controls the delivery of the lysis agent to the compartment coupled to the supply channel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The chemostat chip of claim 1, wherein the second compartment is fluidly coupled to an output channel to remove materials from the compartment. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The chemostat chip of claim 1, wherein the growth chamber comprises a silicone elastomer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The chemostat chip of claim 1, wherein the chemostat comprises a peristaltic pump to circulate fluids in the growth chamber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The chemostat chip of claim 1, wherein the growth chamber comprises a volume of about 50 nanoliters or less. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The chemostat chip of claim 1, wherein the growth chamber comprises a volume of about 16 nanoliters or less. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The chemostat chip of claim 1, wherein the growth chamber has 16 compartments. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The chemostat chip of claim 1, wherein during operation the chemostat chip consumes growth medium at a rate of about 40 μL/day or less. ### Claim 10 (depends on 3) The chemostat chip of claim 3, wherein the materials removed from the compartment comprise dissolved cell components. ### Claim 11 (depends on 3) The chemostat chip of claim 3, wherein an actuatable output valve controls the removal of the materials from the compartment. ### Claim 12 (depends on 4) The chemostat chip of claim 4, wherein the silicone elastomer is polydimethylsiloxane. ### Claim 13 A chemostat chip comprising an array of chemostats, wherein each of the chemostats comprises: a growth chamber having a plurality of compartments, wherein each of the compartments may be fluidly isolated from the rest of the growth chamber by one or more actuatable valves to give the growth chamber a variable volume; a nutrient supply-line to supply growth medium to the growth chamber; and an output port to remove fluids from the growth chamber. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The chemostat chip of claim 13, wherein the chip comprises six or more chemostats. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The chemostat chip of claim 13, wherein the chip has a thickness of about 5 mm or less.