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A versatile modular bioreactor platform for Tissue Engineering
Author(s) -
Schuerlein Sebastian,
Schwarz Thomas,
Krziminski Steffan,
Gätzner Sabine,
Hoppensack Anke,
Schwedhelm Ivo,
Schweinlin Matthias,
Walles Heike,
Hansmann Jan
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
biotechnology journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.144
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1860-7314
pISSN - 1860-6768
DOI - 10.1002/biot.201600326
Subject(s) - bioreactor , modular design , tissue engineering , biochemical engineering , biomedical engineering , economic shortage , transplantation , computer science , process engineering , engineering , chemistry , medicine , surgery , linguistics , philosophy , organic chemistry , government (linguistics) , operating system
Tissue Engineering (TE) bears potential to overcome the persistent shortage of donor organs in transplantation medicine. Additionally, TE products are applied as human test systems in pharmaceutical research to close the gap between animal testing and the administration of drugs to human subjects in clinical trials. However, generating a tissue requires complex culture conditions provided by bioreactors. Currently, the translation of TE technologies into clinical and industrial applications is limited due to a wide range of different tissue‐specific, non‐disposable bioreactor systems. To ensure a high level of standardization, a suitable cost‐effectiveness, and a safe graft production, a generic modular bioreactor platform was developed. Functional modules provide robust control of culture processes, e.g. medium transport, gas exchange, heating, or trapping of floating air bubbles. Characterization revealed improved performance of the modules in comparison to traditional cell culture equipment such as incubators, or peristaltic pumps. By combining the modules, a broad range of culture conditions can be achieved. The novel bioreactor platform allows using disposable components and facilitates tissue culture in closed fluidic systems. By sustaining native carotid arteries, engineering a blood vessel, and generating intestinal tissue models according to a previously published protocol the feasibility and performance of the bioreactor platform was demonstrated.