Design of a large‐scale mammalian cell, suspension culture facility

Abstract

Abstract The design of a suspension culture facility capable of producing approximately 10 12 cells per week has been developed on a small‐scale system which has evolved from various architectural, engineering, biological, and biohazard considerations. The smaller system is composed of spinner flasks (50 ml to 8 liters) modified for semicontinuous culture conditions, metal reservoirs, a continuous flow centrifuge, and supportive equipment. The large system which is under construction is composed of metallic vessels of up to 500 liter working volume with hard plumbing, monitors, controllers, recorders, continuous flow centrifuge and other ancillary equipment. This system begins with medium preparation and ends with harvesting of cells and disposition of supernatant. The design of this turn‐key operation was developed over a two and one‐half year period through the cooperation of private industry, the federal government, and the academic community.