Mammalian cell retention in a spinfilter perfusion bioreactor

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Bioprocess Engineering
• Cell Culture Technology

Background:

• Spinning cylindrical filters (spinfilters) are vital for retaining mammalian cells in continuous perfusion bioreactors.
• Traditional spinfilters with small pores lead to clogging, limiting long-term operation, especially with single-cell suspensions.
• Larger screen openings are a recent approach to mitigate spinfilter clogging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of spinfilter screen size on mammalian cell retention.
• To determine the optimal rotational speed for efficient cell retention and reduced screen clogging.
• To analyze the effects of bulk mixing and perfusion rate on screen fouling, cell retention, and washout.

Main Methods:

• Experimental investigation of spinfilter performance with varying screen sizes.
• Optimization studies on spinfilter rotational speed.
• Analysis of operational parameters including bulk mixing and perfusion rate.
• Evaluation of cell retention, screen clogging, and cell washout.

Main Results:

• Screen size significantly affects mammalian cell retention efficiency.
• Optimized rotational speed is essential for balancing cell retention and minimizing filter clogging.
• Bulk mixing and perfusion rate influence screen fouling, cell retention, and the incidence of cell washout.
• Larger screen openings can reduce clogging but require careful operational parameter optimization.

Conclusions:

• Spinfilter screen size and rotational speed are critical, interdependent parameters for successful long-term mammalian cell culture in perfusion bioreactors.
• Optimizing these parameters is necessary to prevent filter clogging and ensure consistent cell retention.
• Understanding the interplay between operational factors like mixing and perfusion rate is key to maximizing bioreactor performance and minimizing cell loss.