title: A tubular segmented-flow bioreactor for the infection of insect cells with recombinant baculovirus.
abstract: A continuous process of insect cell (S f9) growth and baculovirus infection is tested with the sequential combination of a CSTR and a tubular reactor. A tubular infection reactor enables continuous introduction of baculovirus and therefore avoids the 'passage effect' observed in two-stage CSTR systems. Moreover, a tubular reactor can be used to test cell infection kinetics and the subsequent metabolism of infected insect cells. Unlike batch and CSTR culture, cells in a horizontally positioned tubular reactor settle due to poor mixing. We have overcome this problem by alternately introducing air bubbles and media and by maintaining a linear velocity sufficient to keep cells suspended. This article addresses the development of the tubular reactor and demonstrates its use as an infection system that complements the two-stage CSTR.
authors.affiliation: Center for Agricultural Biotechnology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, USA.
authors.forename: Y C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: M Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Bentley