A somatic cell production system comprising a preintroduction cell solution-feeding channel 20 through which a preintroduction cell-containing solution passes, a factor introducing device 30 that is connected to the preintroduction cell solution-feeding channel 20 and introduces a somatic cell inducing factor into preintroduction cells to prepare inducing factor-introduced cells, and a cell preparation device 40 in which the inducing factor-introduced cells are cultured to prepare somatic cells.

The invention relates to a modular processing system for biopharmaceutical and/or chemical processes, comprising: at least one processing unit; at least one adapter plate, which can be directly or indirectly fluidically connected to the processing unit, wherein the adapter plate has at least one adapter channel, through which at least one fluid flow can flow to the processing unit, wherein the adapter plate also has at least one deflection element and/or a pump and/or at least one valve; and an external control device. The adapter plate is designed in such a way that the fluid flow to the processing unit can be at least partially deflected with the at least one deflection element in the adapter channel and/or the fluid flow, preferably its pressure, is controllable with the at least one valve and/or the pump in the adapter channel. A respective at least one sensor is embedded in the processing unit and/or in the adapter plate, in order to detect at least one property of the fluid flow in the processing unit or the adapter plate. The external control device can be coupled to the at least one sensor in such a way that measurement data of at least one sensor can be read out, and the fluid flow in the processing unit and or the adapter plate can be centrally controlled based on the read-out measurement data. The invention also relates to a method for centrally controlling a modular processing system for biopharmaceutical and/or chemical processes.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure comprise a flow diverter for use in a biocontainer or bioreactor, comprising a shoulder having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a conduit extending from the first surface of the shoulder, an inlet at a first end of the conduit, wherein the first end comprises a connector, an outlet formed within the second surface of the shoulder in fluid communication with the inlet at an end opposite the first end of the conduit and a hood adjacent to the outlet, wherein a fluid diverter is capable of directing a fluid down a sidewall of the biocontainer or bioreactor, attenuating a splashing or foaming condition.

This invention is a system for the production of biomass from photosynthesizing microorganisms that includes a photobioreactor comprising a transparent panel made from two transparent sheets with a separation between them, with top and bottom openings and with transparent, parallel subdivisions that form a panel of vertically arranged, transparent cells, where each transparent cell has a top opening and a bottom opening; a lower recirculation chamber in fluid contact with the bottom openings of the transparent panel; an upper recirculation chamber in fluid contact with the top openings of the transparent panel; a gas distribution tube externally arranged along the edge of said transparent panel; where said gas distribution tube comprises gas injectors arranged in fluid contact with the interior of a plurality of transparent cells; and a supporting structure that supports the transparent panel, the lower recirculation chamber, the upper recirculation chamber and the air distribution tube.

An automated cell culture system with one or more pumps configured to operate on a duty cycle prevents excess heat generation, allowing the cell culture system to operate inside a conventional incubator without overheating. The duty cycle involves switching the pump between on and off modes. By running pumps for a short period of time and then shutting them off, less heat is produced. To account for the reduced pumping time during the cycle, the pump can be run at a higher flow rate while it is on, so that the average flow rate over the course of the cycle is not reduced. Systems of the invention employ duty cycles in which the on-cycle is shorter than the off-cycle, and particularly where the on-cycle is less than 20% of the duration of the entire duty cycle.

A method for separating a suspension includes dispensing a liquid suspension into a compartment of a first bag assembly. The first bag assembly is then rotated using a centrifuge so as to at least partially separate the suspension, the first bag assembly being disposed within a first insert that is housed within a first cavity of a rotor of the centrifuge, the first insert having an annular lip portion that freely projects out of the first cavity of the rotor by a distance of at least 1 cm.

A reversible liquid filtration system for cell culture perfusion comprises: a bioreactor vessel (B4), for storing the cell culture (L4); a perfusion pump (P7), comprising a reciprocable element (P71) which is movable in opposing first and second pumping directions (dF, dR); a filter (F4); and first and second bi-directional valves (BV1, BV2), each selectively controllable between open and closed positions. The perfusion pump (P7), the filter (F4), and the first and second bi-directional valves (BV1, BV2), together comprise a fluidic circuit in communication with the bioreactor vessel (B4). The bi-directional valves (BV1, BV2) are controllable to open and close in co-ordination with the reciprocating perfusion pump (P7), in order to enable both a two-way filtering flow around the fluidic circuit and also an alternating filtering flow between the bioreactor vessel (B4) and the perfusion pump (P7).

A bioprocess system and a method for incubating, growing and harvesting cell cultures is described. Also disclosed is a bioprocess container that can be used with the system. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the bioprocess system includes bioprocess tubes and cell culture tubes having particular dimensions and being made from specific materials that allow the tubes to be welded together while preventing open connections and/or ruptures. In this manner, bioprocess containers can be connected and disconnected from a cell culture apparatus without having to perform the manipulation within a closed environment and without associated monitoring.

Embodiments described herein generally provide for expanding cells in a cell expansion system. The cells may be grown in a bioreactor, and the cells may be activated by an activator (e.g., a soluble activator complex). Nutrient and gas exchange capabilities of a closed, automated cell expansion system may allow cells to be seeded at reduced cell seeding densities, for example. Parameters of the cell growth environment may be manipulated to load the cells into a particular position in the bioreactor for the efficient exchange of nutrients and gases. System parameters may be adjusted to shear any cell colonies that may form during the expansion phase. Metabolic concentrations may be controlled to improve cell growth and viability. Cell residence in the bioreactor may be controlled. In embodiments, the cells may include T cells. In further embodiments, the cells may include T cell subpopulations, including regulatory T cells (Tregs), for example.

A pumpless microfluidic system is disclosed that can be used to mimic the interaction of organ systems with the immune system. Also disclosed is a method for mimicking an immune system, comprising culturing a plurality of organ cells and at least one population of immune cells in the disclosed pumpless microfluidic system under physiological conditions. The method can further comprise activating an immune reaction in the pumpless microfluidic system, continuing the culture for a defined period, collecting a sample of culture medium from the system, and assaying the sample for one or more indicators of an immune response.