Disposable Bioreactor for Cell Culture Using Wave-Induced Agitation

Abstract

This work describes a novel bioreaclor system for the cultivation of animal, insect, or plant cells using wave agitation induced by a rocking motion. This agitation system provides good nutrient distribution, off-bottom suspension, and excellent oxygen transfer without damaging fluid shear or gas bubbles. Unlike other cell culture systems, such as spinners, hollow-fiber, roller bottles, scale-up is simple, and systems with up to 10 liter liquid volume have been operated successfully.

The device is disposable and therefore requires no cleaning or sterilization. Additions and sampling can be done without the need for a laminar flow cabinet. The unit can be placed in an incubator requiring minimal controls. All these features dramatically lower the purchase and operating cost of a lab scale cell cultivation system.

Results are presented for various model systems: 1) recombinant NS0 cells in suspension; 2) human 293 cells in suspension/adenovirus production; 3) sf9 insect cell/baculovirus system; and 4) human 293 cells on microcarrier. These examples show the general suitability of the system for suspension cells, anchorage-dependent culture, and virus production. The system is especially well suited to virus and vaccine production because of the high degree of containment.