Novel carrier beads for cell culture bearing particular properties and production thereof

摘要

Production of 2-dimensional supports for anchorage-dependent cell culture involves activating polymer film to generate reactive groups (e.g. peroxide, hydroperoxide or amino) and then grafting with a polymer or macromolecule of interest by immersing in monomer solution and polymerizing with free radicals formed by irradiation with beta -rays. A process for the continuous production of 2-dimensional supports with special functions for the culture of anchorage-dependent cells (CAD) comprises: (1) continuous production of reels of polymer film with a thickness of up to 35 microns and a density of 0.9-1.25 g/cm3 from polymer granules; (2) activation by generating reactive groups, especially peroxide, hydroperoxide or amino groups; (3) covalent grafting between the activated polymer and a (co)polymer or macromolecule of interest by immersing the film in a monomer solution and polymerizing with free radicals created by activation with beta -radiation, the immersion time being directly correlated with the required thickness of grafted polymer; (4) if necessary, washing to remove unreacted and unattached monomer, followed by drying and (5) cutting to the required size by continuous stamping. Independent claims are also included for the following: (i) two-dimensional micro-supports for bulk CAD culture, made by this process and comprising a base polymer film with a thickness of 10-35 microns and a grafted layer with a thickness of 1-10 nm; (ii) apparatus for the above process comprising: (i) a system for unwinding/winding the polymer film at a speed selected for each of the stages of activation, grafting and punching out; (ii) an electron accelerator suitable for the continuous activation of reels of film; (iii) a container for monomer solution and for the grafting polymer or macromolecule, through which the film passes continuously at a speed determined by the winding/unwinding system; and (iv) a tool for punching out the film as it unwinds.