The challenges of hydrodynamic forces on cells used in cell manufacturing and therapy

Abstract

Six years ago, I was asked to write an article for Current Opinions in Chemical Engineering title: Mixing, aeration, and cell damage, 30+ years later: what we learned, how it affected the cell culture industry, and what we would like to know more about. This contribution continues that focuses on the hydrodynamic forces on cells by extending it to cells used in cell and gene therapy manufacturing. As with the general field of cell culture over 30 years ago, a general rule of thumb was that mammalian cells are too sensitive for traditional suspended culture. However, recent studies are indicating that some of the more commonly used cells, such as human T-cells and human mesenchymal stem cells can, in fact, be grown in suspension. These reports are put in context of other studies on both cells and characterization of hydrodynamic conditions in various processing systems.