An automated cell culturing device, which expands, detaches and prepares cells, ready to be implanted in vivo is disclosed. The device is composed by a multi-layered cell culture chamber, a cell preparation chamber, and critical parameters control units which automatically drive the cell culture medium circulation, change and refill. The device according to the invention is characterized in that all the components contacting cells and culture medium constitute a totally disposable “cartridge” in order to avoid cross-contamination and improve safety. The device is particularly useful for expanding and preparing mesenchymal stem cells for osteoarthritis (OA) therapy, and for other cell based therapies in mammals.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a Disposable Bioprocess System including a Single-Use-Bioreactor, a Single-Use-Pump and a single-use micro-organism retention filter. Combined most suitable for cultivation of suspended micro-organisms in a liquid media at high micro-organism concentration in a perfusion mode continuous process for expression of biological material. The inlet port of the liquid Single-Use-Pump connects via a valve to the broth reservoir of the Single-Use-Bioreactor through a liquid conveying port. The outlet port of the liquid pumping Single-Use-Pump connects via a valve to a micro-organism retention filter. And a method for operating said sterile Disposable Bioprocess System in perfusion mode for continuously processing.

A packed-bed bioreactor system is provided, the system including a cell culture vessel having a first end, a second end, and a reservoir between the first and second ends; and a cell culture matrix disposed in the reservoir. The cell culture matrix includes a structurally defined substrate with a plurality of interwoven fibers having surfaces for adhering cells thereto. The substrate is disposed within the reservoir in a wound configuration creating a plurality of layers of substrate in the wound configuration, and none of the plurality of layers of substrate are separated by a spacer material.

Control of humidity in chemical reactors, and associated systems and methods, are generally described. In certain embodiments, the humidity within gas transport conduits and chambers can be controlled to inhibit unwanted condensation within gas transport pathways. By inhibiting condensation within gas transport pathways, clogging of such pathways can be limited (or eliminated) such that transport of gas can be more easily and controllably achieved. In addition, strategies for purging condensed liquid from chemical reactor systems are also described.

The invention relates to a method for removing a viral contaminant from a preparation, being a cell culture medium or at least a component of a cell culture medium. The method comprises subjecting said preparation to filtration for at least about 24 hours through a virus filter having an effective pore size of maximum about 75 nm. Further, the invention relates to the use of a virus filter in filtration of at least about 24 hours, wherein the virus filter has an effective pore size of maximum about 75 nm for the removal of viral contaminant from a preparation, being a cell culture medium or at least a component of a cell culture medium. In some embodiments the filtration according to the invention operates at a volumetric capacity of at least about 2000 L/m.sup.2. Further, the invention relates to the use of a preparation, being a cell culture medium or at least a component of a cell culture medium obtainable according to method of the invention for cell culture; pharmaceutical, diagnostic and/or cosmetic preparations as well as in food preparations.

The invention relates to a method and device for controlling a filling level of a suspension of cells, cell derivatives, organelles, sub-cellular particles and/or vesicles within at least one chamber of a device for applying an electric field to the suspension. In order to avoid overfilling of the chamber if multiple electroporation cycles are performed and to achieve exact filling in an environment of unpredictable chamber volume, the amount of suspension filled into the chamber is dynamically limited in the course of several electroporation cycles by determining at least one change of the electrical resistance at the outlet port. The resistance between at least one electrode and a grounding electrode is measured during the filling procedure of each cycle at several points in time. Once a change of resistance is detected, the termination routine is initiated and the filling procedure is finally terminated. Exact filling of the chamber is thus ensured during each electroporation cycle so that enhanced reproductive electroporation performance can be guaranteed.

Provided is a culture device, including: a culture tank (110) configured to store an object liquid that is a culture solution having suspended therein an object; a screen (210) made of a metal, the screen including a main body (212) and a plurality of through holes (214) passing through the main body from a front surface (212a) thereof to a back surface (212b) thereof; a spray portion (220) configured to spray the object liquid stored in the culture tank onto the front surface of the body; an accommodation portion (240) surrounding the back surface of the main body and configured to accommodate the culture solution having passed through the through holes; a UV light irradiation portion (250) arranged in the accommodation portion and configured to radiate UV light; and a return portion (290) configured to return the culture solution in the accommodation portion to the culture tank.

The invention provides a process for producing a fermentable gas stream from a gas source that contains one or more constituent which may be harmful to the fermentation process. To produce the fermentable gas stream, the gas stream is passed through a specifically ordered series of removal modules. The removal modules remove and/or convert various constituents found in the gas stream which may have harmful effects on downstream removal modules and/or inhibitory effects on downstream gas fermenting microorganisms. At least a portion of the fermentable gas stream is preferably capable of being passed to a bioreactor, which contains gas fermenting microorganisms, without inhibiting the fermentation process.

A cell culture matrix is provided that has a substrate with a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a thickness separating the first side and the second side, and a plurality of openings formed in the substrate and passing through the thickness of the substrate. The plurality of openings allow flow of at least one of cell culture media, cells, or cell products through the thickness of the substrate, and provides a uniform, efficient, and scalable matrix for cell seeding, proliferation, and culturing. The substrate can be formed from a woven polymer mesh material that provides a high surface area to volume ratio for cells and good fluid flow through the matrix. Bioreactor systems incorporating the cell culture matrix and related methods are also provided.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a Disposable Bioprocess System including a Single-Use-Bioreactor, a Single-Use-Pump and a single-use micro-organism retention filter. Combined most suitable for cultivation of suspended micro-organisms in a liquid media at high micro-organism concentration in a perfusion mode continuous process for expression of biological material. The inlet port of the liquid Single-Use-Pump connects via a valve to the broth reservoir of the Single-Use-Bioreactor through a liquid conveying port. The outlet port of the liquid pumping Single-Use-Pump connects via a valve to a micro-organism retention filter. And a method for operating said sterile Disposable Bioprocess System in perfusion mode for continuously processing.