Chapter 6 Monolayer Mass Culture on Disposable Plastic Spirals

Abstract

This chapter describes the monolayer mass culture on disposable plastic spirals. In its original form, the plastic spiral was made from autoclavable film-“Melinex” polyester (I. C. I. Ltd.) and assembly of the apparatus was done on the premises. However, as the number of vessels in use increased, so did the housekeeping problems of washing, reassembling, and sterilization. At the other extreme, small users found difficulties in constructing the apparatus on their own. Accordingly, ICRF decided to invest in a mass-produced unit: a disposable, radiation-sterilized 1.6 liter, spiral vessel. The idea was that the apparatus designed for polystyrene and manufactured by a specialist in disposable tissue-culture equipment, should be a product that had a better growth surface and was uniform, of guaranteed sterility, and convenient. These units have been in use since October 1972, and the majority of users trained in the use of conventional roller bottles have found that the new apparatus adapts very easily to their previous techniques and gives five to ten times the yield for the same effort. The low capital cost of the spirals compared to conventional bulk culture machinery, and the fact that they do not have to be rolled continuously, makes it possible for various users to set up preparations of 1.6 to 16 liters each week without competing for equipment, and to change their scale of operations as convenient.