BIOREACTOR AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ADHERENT CELL CULTURES EMPLOYING SAID BIOREACTOR

Abstract

Bioreactor and production process of adherent cell cultures that uses the bioreactor. The bioreactor includes a recipient with a cover, and further includes internally a bracket from which protrudes at least one tray that supports a three-dimensional polymer-based element mounted on it, such that when the bioreactor is filled with a culture medium the at least one tray and the three-dimensional polymer-based element are surrounded by the culture medium.

The process includes the following steps: the bracket, with the at least one tray of the bioreactor, with a three-dimensional polymer-based element is immersed in the culture medium, cells that are desired to be planted on the three-dimensional polymer-based element are inoculated from outside the bioreactor, and the culture is left in the bioreactor so that the cellular proliferation is produced.

Claims

1. A bioreactor comprising: a recipient with a cover, wherein the bioreactor further comprises internally a bracket from which protrudes at least one tray that supports a three-dimensional polymer-based element mounted on the bioreactor, such that when the bioreactor is filled with a culture medium, the at least one tray and the three-dimensional polymer-based element are surrounded by the culture medium, wherein the bracket comprises a series of electrical contacts able to be fed with alternating current or direct current.

2. The bioreactor, according to claim 1, wherein the bracket is suspended from the cover.

3. The bioreactor according to claim 2, wherein the bracket protrudes perpendicularly from the cover.

4. The bioreactor according to claim 1, wherein the bracket is supported on the base of the bioreactor.

5. The bioreactor according to claim 1, wherein the at least one tray is drilled by a series of through holes.

6. The bioreactor according to claim 1, further comprising at least one ring protruding from the bracket, such that each ring is arranged in parallel to a corresponding tray, being the three-dimensional polymer-based element located between the corresponding tray and the corresponding ring.

7. (canceled)

8. The bioreactor according to claim 1, that further comprises an air bubble generator disposed underneath each tray.

9. A production process of adherent cell cultures that uses a bioreactor according to claim 8, the production process includes the following steps: the bracket, with the at least one tray of the bioreactor, with a three-dimensional polymer-based element is immersed in the culture medium, the cells that are desired to be planted on the three-dimensional polymer-based element are inoculated from outside the bioreactor, the culture is left in the bioreactor so that the cellular proliferation is produced, and a stage of stimulation of cell proliferation including feeding alternating current or direct current to the electrical contacts of the bracket in the bioreactor.

10. (canceled)

11. The production process of adherent cell cultures, according to claim 9, further comprising a stage of cell proliferation stimulation that includes the production of air bubbles underneath each tray by the air bubble generators.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0043] An illustrative embodiment is presented below, which is not limitative in any sense, of the purpose of this invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a view of the invention bioreactor that shows the bracket and the trays.

[0045] FIG. 2 shows the assembly formed by the bracket, trays, rings, and the three-dimensional polymer-based elements of the bioreactor of the invention.

[0046] FIG. 3 shows the assembly of FIG. 2, to which air bubble generators have been added underneath each tray.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a view of a bioreactor 1 of the invention obtained from a commercial or traditional bioreactor. The conventional bioreactor comprises a container 2 with a cover 3. A bracket 4 has also been included inside the bioreactor 1 of the invention on which the trays 5 can be installed. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the bioreactor 1 has three trays 5 that can be made of stainless steel. The number of trays 5 may increase or decrease depending on the needs and the size of the bioreactor 1.

[0048] In FIGS. 2 and 3, it is noted that in the bioreactor 1 of the invention, each tray 5 supports a three-dimensional polymer-based element 6 mounted on it, that is to say, these trays 5 represent places of support for three-dimensional elements 6 (three-dimensional arrays) that act as growth “scaffolds” for the adherent cells.

[0049] These “scaffolds” may be hydrogel type three-dimensional polymer-based structures 6, on which the cells can be sown by inoculation with a needle from outside the bioreactor 1 and left in cultivation until the desired proliferation is achieved.

[0050] When the bioreactor 1 is filled with a culture medium, the trays 5 and the three-dimensional polymer-based elements 6 are surrounded by the culture medium.

[0051] The bracket 4 can be found suspended from the cover 3 of the bioreactor 1, such that when the bioreactor 1 is closed, the trays 5 and the three-dimensional polymer-based elements 6 are submerged in the culture medium. In one embodiment, the bracket 4 can protrude perpendicularly from the cover 3.

[0052] The bracket 4 may also be supported from the base of the bioreactor 1, independent of the cover 3.

[0053] The trays 5 may be drilled through with a series of holes, to permit a better flow of fluid throughout the whole bioreactor 1.

[0054] In FIGS. 2 and 3 it can be seen that the bioreactor 1 may include retaining rings 7 of the three-dimensional polymer-based elements 6 (“scaffolds”) that also protrude from the bracket 4 in a position parallel with respect to a corresponding tray 5, so that the three-dimensional polymer-based element 6 is located between the tray 5 and the corresponding ring 7.

[0055] The bracket 4 may include various profiles or support rods on which the trays 5 and rings 7 are supported. It is possible to include some electrical contacts 8 on these profiles that can be fed with alternating or direct current. This alternating or direct current, which may be in the order of micro-amperes, facilitates and increases cell proliferation.

[0056] This increased cellular proliferation is due to the fact that, on polarised surfaces and environments, the proteins are more concentrated by electrostatic attraction and the cells have more nutrients available for their metabolic activities. The tests carried out have permitted increases in such proliferation of 7 times with respect to the system without the stimulus of direct current.

[0057] The bioreactor 1 can also include an air bubble generator 9 underneath each tray 5. The capacity to modify the size and frequency of the bubbling air by the introduction of bubble generators 9 (“spargers”) below each tray 5, exerts a mechanical stimulus on the “scaffolds” with the pressure of these tiny bubbles. This modification is oriented to simulate the contraction/extension movements of the muscular cells to promote the similarities with in vivo proliferation.

[0058] The production process for the cell cultures that uses a bioreactor 1, comprises the following steps: [0059] the bracket 4, with the at least one tray 5 of the bioreactor 1. with a three-dimensional polymer-based element 6 is immersed in the culture medium, [0060] cells that are desired to be planted on the three-dimensional polymer-based element 6 are inoculated from outside the bioreactor 1, and [0061] the culture is left in the bioreactor 1 so that it produces the cellular proliferation.

[0062] This process can further comprise a stage of cell proliferation stimulation consisting in feeding alternating or direct current to the electrical contacts 8 on the bracket 4 of the bioreactor 1.

[0063] Also, this process can further comprise a stage of cell proliferation stimulation consisting in the production of air bubbles underneath each tray 5 by means of the air bubble generators 9.

[0064] The invention is of particular application to the cultivation of animal muscle cells for the production of cultivated flesh but is not limited only to this application nor this type of adherent cells.

[0065] Although some embodiments of the invention have been described and represented, it is clear that modifications may be introduced to them within the scope of the same, and that this should not be considered limited to these embodiments, but only to the content of the following claims.