Cell retention devices for suspended-cell perfusion cultures.
Perfusion cultures of animal cells have several advantages over batch or fed-batch cultures. They give, for instance, higher productivities and a consistent product quality, and allow steady state operation and better cell physiology control. However, one of the main aspects limiting performance and scale-up of perfusion processes is the need for an adequate cell retention device. The devices currently in use for stirred perfusion bioreactors are continuous centrifuges, tangential flow membrane filters, dynamic filters, spin-filters, ultrasonic and dielectrophoretic separators, gravity settlers and, more recently, hydrocyclones. The advantages and disadvantages of each of these methods will be discussed.
Castilho
Leda R
LR
GBF-German National Research Center for Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering Division, Braunschweig. ledacastilho@ieg.com.br
Medronho
Ricardo A
RA
D000818:Animals; D019149:Bioreactors; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D010477:Perfusion