Growing cells in a reservoir formed of a flexible sterile plastic liner

摘要

A method and apparatus for aseptic biological production of cells and/or microorganisms are provided. The apparatus includes a support housing having an interior chamber, a disposable flexible sterile plastic liner lining the interior chamber and a head plate attached to the liner forming a sealed chamber with the liner to form a reservoir. After use the liner can be thrown away and the apparatus can be reused with a new liner. In this way, the apparatus simplifies cleaning and ensuring validation required by pharmaceutical and food industry standards. Aerating fluid is introduced during culturing of cell or microorganisms in the reservoir. A growth characteristic can be used to vary flow rate and/or composition of the aerating fluid. Another reservoir may be used for circulation between two reservoirs.