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Published on: February 16, 2015
Apoptosis and its control in cell culture systems
R P Singh1, G Finka, A N Emery
1Centre for Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
Programmed cell death (apoptosis) impacts industrial cell cultures. The bcl-2 gene protects cells from oxygen deprivation-induced apoptosis and may reduce nutrient consumption, improving cell survival in bioreactors.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Cell Biology
- Bioprocessing
Background:
- Apoptosis, a programmed cell death, is implicated in diseases like cancer and AIDS.
- Apoptosis is a major cell death pathway in industrial cell cultures.
- Understanding and controlling apoptosis is crucial for efficient biomanufacturing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review apoptosis induction in industrial cell cultures.
- To investigate the effects of the apoptosis suppressor gene bcl-2 on cell survival in bioreactor conditions.
- To explore bcl-2's role in mitigating apoptosis caused by oxygen deprivation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on apoptosis in industrial cell cultures.
- Experimental analysis of bcl-2 gene effects on cell survival.
- Assessment of apoptosis induction under oxygen deprivation.
- Measurement of nutrient consumption rates in relation to bcl-2 expression.
Main Results:
- Apoptosis is a significant factor limiting cell viability in industrial cultures.
- The bcl-2 gene confers protection against apoptosis induced by oxygen deprivation.
- bcl-2 expression may lead to a reduced specific nutrient consumption rate in cells.
- bcl-2 shows potential for enhancing cell survival in large-scale cell cultivation.
Conclusions:
- bcl-2 is a promising target for improving cell survival and productivity in industrial cell cultures.
- Modulating bcl-2 expression can enhance resilience to environmental stresses like oxygen deprivation.
- Further research into bcl-2's metabolic effects could optimize bioprocesses.
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