CFD Large Eddy Simulation of the hydrodynamics of stirred mini-bioreactors operating with stem cell culture mixing conditions

Abstract

The expansion of hMSC adhered on microcarriers is a proven technology to allow the production of quantitatively (cell density and growth rate) and qualitatively (preservation of cell stemness) the amounts of cells required for clinical applications. In that context of process optimization, a platform of 6 parallel 250 mL stirred minibioreactors have been designed and fully equipped for hMSC cultivation on microcarriers. The local hydrodynamics in these bioreactors have been characterized using CFD simulations and experimental measurements. GOALS: 1) Evaluation of the flexibility of the platform for extensively studying the coupling between hydrodynamics and hMSC physiological response (growth, stemness) by changing agitation conditions. 2) Evaluation of the scale down ability of platform as prediction tool of the hMSC behavior in larger bioreactor scale.Développement d’outils de conception et d’extrapolation de bioréacteurs à cuve agitée utilisés pour la culture de cellules souches mesenchymateuses sur microporteur