Optimization and control of perfusion cultures using a viable cell probe and cell specific perfusion rates

摘要

Consistent perfusion culture production requires reliable cell retention and control of feed rates. An on-line cell probe based on capacitance was used to assay viable biomass concentrations. A constant cell specific perfusion rate controlled medium feed rates with a bioreactor cell concentration of ～5 × 106 cells mL-1. Perfusion feeding was automatically adjusted based on the cell concentration signal from the on-line biomass sensor. Cell specific perfusion rates were varied over a range of 0.05 to 0.4 nL cell-1 day-1. Pseudo-steady-state bioreactor indices (concentrations, cellular rates and yields) were correlated to cell specific perfusion rates investigated to maximize recombinant protein production from a Chinese hamster ovary cell line. The tissue-type plasminogen activator concentration was maximized (～40 mg L-1) at 0.2 nL cell-1 day-1. The volumetric protein productivity (～60 mg L-1 day-1 was maximized above 0.3 nL cell-1 day-1. The use of cell specific perfusion rates provided a straightforward basis for controlling, modeling and optimizing perfusion cultures.