Expanding cells in a bioreactor

摘要

Described are embodiments for expanding cells in a bioreactor. In one embodiment, methods are provided that distribute cells throughout the bioreactor and attach cells to specific portions of a bioreactor to improve the expansion of the cells in the bioreactor. Embodiments may be implemented on a cell expansion system configured to load, distribute, attach and expand cells.

主权项

1. A method of loading cells in a cell expansion system, the method comprising:
circulating fluid at a first flow rate through a bioreactor of a cell expansion system, wherein the fluid comprises a plurality of cells; reducing circulation of fluid from the first flow rate to about 0 ml/min; maintaining the bioreactor in a first orientation for a first predetermined period of time to allow at least a first portion of the plurality of cells to settle; after the first predetermined period of time, circulating fluid at a second flow rate through the bioreactor, wherein the second flow rate is slower than the first flow rate; reducing the circulation of fluid from the second flow rate to about 0 ml/min; maintaining the bioreactor in a second orientation for a second predetermined period of time to allow at least a second portion of the plurality of cells to settle; and expanding at least the first and the second portion of cells in the bioreactor.