Design and Simulation of a Fused Silica Space Cell Culture and Observation Cavity with Microfluidic and Temperature Controlling

Shangchun Fan,Jinhao Sun,Weiwei Xing,Cheng Li,Dongxue Wang

doi:10.1155/2013/378253

Abstract

We report a principle prototype of space animal cell perfusion culture and observation. Unlike previous work, our cell culture system cannot only realize microfluidic and temperature controlling, automatic observation, and recording but also meet an increasing cell culture at large scale operation and overcome shear force for animal cells. A key component in the system is ingenious structural fused silica cell culture cavity with the wedge-shaped connection. Finite volume method (FVM) is applied to calculate its multipoint flow field, pressure field, axial velocity, tangential velocity, and radial velocity. In order to provide appropriate flow rate, temperature, and shear force for space animal cell culture, a closed-loop microfluidic circuit and proportional, integrating, and differentiation (PID) algorithm are employed. This paper also illustrates system architecture and operating method of the principle prototype. The dynamic culture, autofocus observation, and recording of M763 cells are performed successfully within 72 h in the laboratory environment. This research can provide a reference for space flight mission that carries an apparatus with similar functions.

Highlights

The increasing demand of recombinant therapeutic proteins, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines produced by mammalian cells has stimulated the development of space cell culture technology, for which almost all space powers have a huge interest
We report a principle prototype of space animal cell perfusion culture and observation
The efficacy of the wedge-shaped connection is demonstrated; for future space flight mission it should be more robust to perform better leakproofness and be better resistant to the impact of the gravitational acceleration caused by the duration of carrier rocket into orbit

Summary

Introduction

The increasing demand of recombinant therapeutic proteins, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines produced by mammalian cells has stimulated the development of space cell culture technology, for which almost all space powers have a huge interest. In order to make an in-depth research of space cell culture characteristics, some space powers have developed various space cell culture devices [1,2,3,4] Many of these have completed space flight mission that are shown in Table 1 and Figure 1. Rotating wall bioreactor is widely used because the internal spin-filters are conducive to perfusion rates and reproductive rate at large-scale operation [12, 13]. In this case, the defects such as high energy consumption, noise, low space utilization, and shear force have been considered as limitation of culture duration and process performance

Methods

Results

Conclusion