HANGING DROP PLATE

摘要

The present invention relates to a hanging drop plate (1) and a method of cultivating cells or of producing molecular aggregates in at least one liquid volume (6) that adheres to a drop contact area (5) of such a hanging drop plate (1). The hanging drop plate (1) comprises a body (2) with a first surface (3) and a second surface (4) that is essentially coplanar to the first surface (3). The second surface (4) comprises at least one drop contact area (5) for adherently receiving a liquid volume (6) for cultivating cells or for producing molecular aggregates therein. The at least one drop contact area (5) is distinguished from a surrounding area (7) by a relief structure (8) that prevents spreading of the liquid volume (6) on the second surface (4) of the body (2). The hanging drop plate (1) according to the present invention is characterized in that the body (2) further comprises at least one conduit (9) that mouths into the at least one drop contact area (5) from the direction of the first surface (3) of the body (2). In the method according to the present invention, a liquid volume (6) is applied to a drop contact area (5) through a conduit (9) that mouths into the drop contact area (5) from the direction of the first surface (3) of the body (2). Cells and/or molecules can be introduced into this liquid volume (6) and parts of this liquid volume (6) can be replaced via the respective conduit (9) of the hanging drop plate (1) that is dedicated to the drop contact area (5).