Development of a perfusion culture system for production of biologicals using contact dependent cells

Design and evaluation of a new type of culture vessel for contact dependent cells is described. Cells are grown on both sides of stationary glass plates in a laminar flow of medium supplied from separate reservoirs. Construction and operation of vessels ranging in growth surface from 0.02 to 10 m2 is relatively simple and there are no moving parts. Cells can be inspected by low power microscopy in the usual way. Evaluation of this equipment was carried out using the human diploid cell line MRC-5. Saturation densities of up to 1 million cells per square centimetre of growth surface were obtained where appropriate medium volumes were used. Application of this sytem to other cell types and the production of biological products is briefly discussed.