DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF 3D ROTATIONAL BIOREACTOR FOR 3D CELL CULTURE

Abstract

Currently, cell and tissue culture are a key to success for regenerative medicine and the pharmaceutical industry for implementing new therapeutic concepts. Cell culture is a complex process in which cells are grown under controlled conditions. Three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds provide space for cell adhesion and growth in 3D structures. However, in 3D cell culture, the ability to supply nutrients and oxygen, and the simultaneous removal of waste products and metabolites are the limiting factors for cells survival, due to nutrient starvation and metabolite toxicity. Therefore, an in-house 3D rotational bioreactor, for 3D cell culture, was designed, fabricated, and developed based on a chitosan porous scaffold. The 3D rotational bioreactor provides a continuously moving culture medium led to high rates of mass transfer throughout the scaffolds. The rotation speed and duration are programable and provide a continuous free flow during the rotating period. The results demonstrated the potential of an in-house 3D rotational bioreactor for better nutrient supply and waste transfer systems outweighs the conventional cell culture technique.