Introduction

‘Airlift’ is a technology used to mix, aerate and provide nutrients to cell suspensions. Cellexus’ CellMaker Airlift Bioreactor is commonly used to grow microbes but data is lacking on its viability as a means to grow mammalian cells.

Challenge

This Feasibility project sought to obtain data on whether and how the CellMaker aids the growth of mammalian cells for use in the production of medicines, therapeutics and research reagents.

Solution

Cellexus provided the CellMaker technology and provided technical support and probes for fermentation monitoring to the team at Abertay University.

Researchers Sean Brown and Scott Cameron at Abertay then attempted to grow CHO cell lines expressing monoclonal recombinant antibodies in the CellMaker.

Finally, the resulting antibody levels were compared to a traditional shake flask culture.

Outcome

Sean Brown and Scott Cameron at Abertay University used the technology to successfully provide a proof of concept that the system could be used in mammalian cells.

The data from this project were used to produce a white paper on the technology’s use in mammalian cells, allowing the company to reach new Global markets.