Mammalian cells

The demand for therapeutic proteins derived from mammalian cell culture is on an upward trajectory, fueled by the approval of newer products that often require administration in higher doses. Such products, including antibodies and receptor-binding proteins, necessitate the production of larger quantities than earlier therapeutic proteins. This shift underscores a continuous and pressing need to enhance the productivity of mammalian cell culture bioreactors, such as the Applikon Mini bioreactor , without the burden of significant additional investment in equipment. The Applikon Mini bioreactor stands out for its ability to provide a controlled and optimized environment for mammalian cell growth, especially for culturing CHO cells—a cell line that is extensively utilized in the biopharmaceutical industry.

The inoculation and cell growth phase is a critical juncture in the process of culturing CHO cells within the Applikon Mini bioreactor. This stage seamlessly integrates the meticulous preparation of the cell line with the advanced capabilities of the bioreactor to foster optimal cell development.

Cell line adaptation and expansion

Initially, CHO cells undergo a careful adaptation process to acclimate to the specific media and conditions provided by the Applikon Mini bioreactor. This adaptation is crucial for ensuring the cells' growth and viability are optimized for the bioreactor's environment. Following adaptation, the cells are expanded in flasks or smaller bioreactors, which serves to increase their quantity to the required inoculum density. This step is essential for preparing a robust starter culture that can thrive and proliferate once transferred to the bioreactor.

Inoculation into the bioreactor

Upon achieving the desired cell density, the next step involves the aseptic transfer of the CHO cell suspension into the sterile environment of the Applikon Mini bioreactor. This crucial phase marks the beginning of the cell culture process in the bioreactor, setting the stage for cell proliferation.

Optimization of culture conditions

The Applikon Mini bioreactor's advanced control systems come into play immediately after inoculation, regulating key environmental parameters such as temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen levels. These factors are vital for cell growth and have a direct impact on the cells' health and productivity. The bioreactor's precise control systems, equipped with advanced sensors, allow for real-time monitoring and fine-tuning of these conditions. This ensures that the culture environment remains optimal at all times, facilitating sustained cell growth and viability.

In sum, the process from cell line adaptation and expansion through to the inoculation and subsequent growth in the Applikon Mini bioreactor exemplifies a well-orchestrated sequence of steps designed to maximize the efficiency and output of CHO cell culture. By meticulously preparing the cells and leveraging the bioreactor's sophisticated control mechanisms, it is possible to achieve high-density cultures and, consequently, higher yields of the desired bioproducts.

The culmination of a successful mammalian cell culture process, particularly in the production of biopharmaceuticals using CHO cells, is the harvesting and product recovery phase. This crucial stage involves the systematic separation of the target bioproduct from the cell biomass and culture medium, a process optimized for efficiency and product integrity within the Applikon Mini bioreactor.

Harvest Timing

Harvesting is initiated when the cell culture achieves predetermined benchmarks of cell density and product concentration. These benchmarks are critical for ensuring that the product is harvested at its highest quality and yield. The timing is determined through rigorous monitoring of the culture parameters, including cell viability, density, and the concentration of the product of interest. This decision is crucial for maximizing product yield while maintaining high product quality.

Separation Process

The Applikon Mini bioreactor is engineered with features that support a gentle and efficient separation process, crucial for maintaining the integrity of both the cells and the bioproduct. The separation techniques employed can vary based on the nature of the product and the specifics of the culture system but typically include one or more of the following methods:

• Centrifugation: This process involves the use of centrifugal force to separate the cell biomass from the supernatant, where the product is usually found. Conditions are carefully optimized to ensure maximum recovery of the product while preserving its biological activity.
• Microfiltration or ultrafiltration: These membrane-based techniques are used to separate cells and larger particles from the product. They can be particularly useful for recovering products from the culture supernatant while minimizing product loss and maintaining high purity levels.
• Depth filtration: Often used as a preliminary step, depth filtration helps remove larger cell debris and aggregates, facilitating smoother downstream processing.