Perfusion Bioreactor Technology
for more ethical and human-relevant research
Bioreactor designs and operating conditions necessarily vary between different tissues due to their unique biological environments, however the principles remain the same. Culturing any type of tissue in a bioreactor requires a sterile environment with temperature and pH control, as well as adequate supply of nutrients and removal of waste by a perfusion system that also provides appropriate shear stress specific to that tissue. This process is demonstrated here in the context of our current collaboration on the intricate cardiovascular system.
1
A porous, tubular scaffold comes housed in a chamber to serve as an
anchor for initial cell attachment and growth. The chamber is then
filled with cell growth media.
2
Even cell distribution of human epithelial cells and smooth muscle
cells on the scaffold is optimised through automated, dynamic cell
seeding - forming a bilayered graft.
3
Pulsatile flow through the graft lumen provides physiologically
relevant shear force.
4
In-line sensors for temperature, pressure, flow, pH and nutrient
concentration feed data back to software in real-time, allowing for
automatic control and data acquisition.
5
Cell growth, synthesis of extracellular matrix components and tissue
formation occur over time as media is perfused throughout the
system.
1
A porous, tubular scaffold is housed in a chamber to serve as an
anchor for initial cell attachment and growth.
2
Even cell distribution of human epithelial cells and smooth muscle
cells on the scaffold is optimised through automated, dynamic cell
seeding - forming a bilayered graft.
3
Pulsatile flow through the graft lumen provides physiologically
relevant shear force.
4
In-line sensors for temperature, pressure, flow, pH and nutrient
concentration feed data back to software in real-time, allowing for
automatic control and data acquisition.
5
Cell growth, synthesis of extracellular matrix components and tissue
formation occur over time as media is perfused throughout the system.
