USE OF A SPIN-FILTER CAN REDUCE DISRUPTION OF HYBRIDOMA CELLS IN A BIOREACTOR

The possibility of damage to suspended cells arising from the introduction of a spin-filter rotating at high speed is examined experimentally and theoretically. Far from increasing damage, it is shown that a spin-filter, even when rotating at high speed, can markedly improve the survival of cells in a stirred unbuffled bioreactor. Analysis of the shear stress generated at the filter surface shows values that are orders of magnitude below those shown elsewhere to be damaging to cells. The improvement in survival seen in addition of a spin-filter to an impeller-agitated bioreactor are explained in terms of the events associated with the suppression of vortices, and bubble entrainment and disengagement.