An apparatus and method is described for culturing and conditioning cells on a sample. The apparatus includes a fluid delivery system that transmits gas to a first surface of a sample and transmits liquid to an opposite surface of the sample without transmitting liquid onto the first surface. Further, while culturing cells on the sample, the apparatus enables a constant or variable tension and shear stress applied to the sample. The apparatus may thus, for example, be used to culture cells on an external surface of a tissue construct with air and culture cells underneath the tissue construct with a cell growth media. The fluid delivery system may alternatively transmit liquid cell growth media underneath and on the sides of the tissue construct without flowing onto a designated external surface of the tissue construct. In this manner, cells may be cultured on the tissue construct while stretching and relaxing the tissue and further simulating a dissimilar environment on opposite surfaces of the tissue construct.