Cellexus and Groton Biosystems have announced a collaboration on use of the Groton automated sampler with the Cellexus single-use bioreactors for aseptic sample extraction from cell culture.
Use of these systems offers the highest yields of soluble proteins under optimal conditions using the Cellexus Cellmaker single-use bioreactors and the ability to automate quick and safe sample extraction under sterile conditions using the Groton Biosystems autosampler.
This combination eliminates contamination and enables efficient cell culture monitoring for best protein production results.
Accessing bioreactor/fermenter contents in this way is an important activity for any user.
The ability to monitor, assay and record parameters, off-line from the bioreactor/fermenter, is an essential part of the daily routine in biochemical research and biopharmaceutical production.
Cellexus Cellmaker systems apply single-use, disposable cell culture bioreactor bags with efficient methods to mix and oxygenate.
While other disposable systems require shakers, rockers, rollers or large environmental chambers, Cellmaker systems employ an airlift technology, which is simple, scalable, inexpensive to use and proven to out-perform cell culture in flasks, said Cellexus.
The single-use, disposable cell culture bags in which cells are grown are designed to enable fast set-up times and eliminate cleaning requirements.
Cellmaker systems aerate the Cellexus cell culture bags, with controlled air flow providing oxygen for cell growth and gentle, effective mixing to maintain cells in suspension.
Pressure control enhances oxygen availability to cells and decreases foaming and temperature control enables production of the highest yields of soluble protein under optimal conditions.
Groton Biosystems supplies a range of on-line bioreactor autosamplers that sample from up to eight reactors and deliver samples of up to four analytical instruments.
The ARS series, designed to be aligned with the FDA's process analytical technology initiative, are said to be ideal for reducing product development cycles, maximising production results, and tracking overall product quality.
Users have also seen improved product yields as a result of efficiencies created.
'Laboratory environments can sometimes be far from sterile or clean, so taking samples from bioreactors and fermenters can result in bacterial, viral or chemical contamination,' said Bob Cumming, general manager, Cellexus Limited.
'Losing a culture due to contamination can be costly and put vital projects in jeopardy because of the nature of the expensive media used and in the time lost in having to restart the cell culture.
'The Groton Biosystems autosampler provides a solution to eliminate these risks,' he added.
