Packed Bed Bioreactor

Intensive cell culture systems, such as packed bed bioreactors, have attracted considerable
interest for the commercial production of biopharmaceutical products from mammalian cells
and their potential for long-term cultivation of high cell densities makes them an attractive
option for tissue engineering applications. The large cell numbers obtained can subsequently
be used for transplant, or the bioreactor can serve as a surrogate organ such as a bio artificial
liver (BAL). However, to fully utilise these systems a comprehensive understanding of the
influence of reactor design on cell growth and physiology is required.

Principle

The principle behind a packed bed bioreactor (PBR) is that cells are immobilized within a
suitable stationary matrix that forms the bed.

Materials

Several types of matrices have been used, including microporous micro carriers porous
ceramic beads

porous glass beads, glass fibres, and polyester discs.

Procedure

Packed bed bioreactor provide a large surface area to allow cell attachment, resulting in cell
concentrations as high as 5 x 108 cells ml-1 of matrix . The porous structures also offer a
protective environment for cells from local shear forces. Culture medium is perfused through
the bed to supply cells with nutrients and to remove toxic metabolites. This allows the reactor
to be run in batch, fed-batch, or a continuous mode of operation, enabling long-term
cultivation of cells, and production runs in excess of 30 days are not uncommon.

Problem

The main problem associated with PBR is the heterogeneity of the reactor caused by
concentration gradients of nutrients and waste products.
Objectives

The objectives for the packed bed bioreactor is the valorization of food, beverages, waste
treatment, and tissue engineering.