Cell culture process transfer is one of the main procedures that happens inside molecular biology laboratories. The specific product is produced by thawing the cells and cultivating them up to a certain amount of cell density in incubated shakers. Later on, they are transferred for processing in a bioreactor.
For increasing the amount of the product, the bioprocess is accordingly scaled-up to different unit sizes. However, such a sequence of steps might look easier to you, but they are difficult. Some of the different factors, such as biological and physical parameters, need to be considered for a successful process transfer.
If you want to know everything related to cell culture process transfer, then keep reading this blog. You will learn more about it.
Bioprocess Using Real-Time Monitoring
Selecting cell culture cultivation units depends on the application. Shake flasks are easy to handle, and they are disposable. They allow quick preparation for performing bioprocesses. These flasks are often used for screening purposes or for understanding the process in its initial stages. Speaking of flasks, you can get cell culture flasks from MBP Inc for your laboratory.
Meanwhile, it is important to gain insights into the bioprocess using real-time monitoring and control for a more detailed understanding of the process. Shakers allow this to a limited extent, in which the information related to the process remains an unknown black box. It is because this can take up hours or even days to analyze a sample and obtain the data.
Tight real-time control is required for identifying the Critical Process Parameters (CPPs) that are important to be known for controlling the biology of the cells but also meet the regulation criteria regarding quality efficacy and benefits.
For fulfilling these monitoring requirements, it is vital to have an automated bioreactor system that prioritizes real-time control, monitoring, data recording, and management by using software that will perform those functions.
Critical Factors For Process Transfer
A process transfer has a scale-up step from a shake flask to a bioreactor. It is not always convenient and smooth. Meanwhile, the environment for the cells changes; it starts from the aeration to the cultivation method itself.
As we know, cells are not being shaken anymore, and they are being stirred, resulting in a change of mixing within the bioreactor. This change in sensitive mammalian cells leads to shear stress and other foaming issues. However, they are pretty well controlled due to the addition of antifoam and cell surfactants.
There are critical parameters exist that need to be considered:
Oxygen transfer:
Since mammalian cell culture processes are aerobic, most of the oxygen transfers are into the cells, which is a very critical factor. To make sure adequate oxygen availability, the agitation speed, gas flow rate, and gas composition need to be controlled.
These cells don’t have a cell wall, and the power inputs may need to be kept low, leading to inhomogeneities within the culture.
Culture media mixing:
Another important parameter is mixing within the cell culture substance that needs to be considered. The insufficient mixing results in pH and nutrient gradients that have been shown to influence cell growth and antibody production dramatically.
CO2 Accumulation:
It is because of low power input and aeration rates. The CO2 concentration in the culture media is elevated. And the negativity impacts product quality as well as cell growth and protein production.
Final Thoughts
The cell culture process transfer is gaining importance in the biopharmaceutical industry. Many laboratories do this process transfer in order to get accurate results. Many researchers can follow this process for their samples and procedures in the lab. Whether you need glassware, T75 flasks, or any other equipment, then check out our collection at MBP Inc. for it.
