SBIR-STTR Award

The limitations of existing equipment and process technology for the production of products derived from tissue culture is well recognized in the industry.This project is focused on the problem of aeration in the cell cultivation process of growing tissue cultures. It introduces a new technology of using certain liquid perfluorinated chemicals (PFC) which are immiscible in aqueous mixtures, hiologically inert and have affinities for O2 and CO2 often reaching 5-l0 times those of water as a transfer media. This process will use cell lines that grow in suspension culture media devoid of serum. The dispersion of PFC in the aqueous culture medium will facilitate the recovery and recycling of pure PFC. The PFC will be circulated through a draft tube reactor to create bulk mixing. Gas exchange occurs due to the disequilibrium between the two phases. We will attempt to quantify the oxygen transport rates required to support high culture densities. This research could remove one of the technical obstacles in growing tissue cultures in high cell densities while lowering the cost of cell cultivation. Consideration will be given to use of this new process in microgravity conditions to determine if the unique attributes of space using this new technology will allow inter-atomic and inter-molecular forces to enhance the process.STATUS: Project Proceded to Phase II

___(NOTE: Note: no official Abstract exists of this Phase II projects. Abstract is modified by idi from relevant Phase I data. The specific Phase II work statement and objectives may differ)___ The limitations of existing equipment and process technology for the production of products derived from tissue culture is well recognized in the industry.This project is focused on the problem of aeration in the cell cultivation process of growing tissue cultures. It introduces a new technology of using certain liquid perfluorinated chemicals (PFC) which are immiscible in aqueous mixtures, hiologically inert and have affinities for O2 and CO2 often reaching 5-l0 times those of water as a transfer media. This process will use cell lines that grow in suspension culture media devoid of serum. The dispersion of PFC in the aqueous culture medium will facilitate the recovery and recycling of pure PFC. The PFC will be circulated through a draft tube reactor to create bulk mixing. Gas exchange occurs due to the disequilibrium between the two phases. We will attempt to quantify the oxygen transport rates required to support high culture densities. This research could remove one of the technical obstacles in growing tissue cultures in high cell densities while lowering the cost of cell cultivation. Consideration will be given to use of this new process in microgravity conditions to determine if the unique attributes of space using this new technology will allow inter-atomic and inter-molecular forces to enhance the process.STATUS: Project Proceded to Phase II