Impact of aeration strategies on fed-batch cell culture kinetics in a single-use 24-well miniature bioreactor

The impact of aeration strategies on cell culture kinetics of a model CHO cell line was also determined. Cultures performed with head space aeration alone showed the highest viable cell density (VCD) (15.2 × 106 cells mL−1), viability retention and antibody titre (1.58 g L−1). These were greater than in conventional shake flask cultures due to the improved control of the μ24 bioreactor system. In all cases the miniature bioreactor managed good control of process parameters such as pH 6.95 ± 0.4, temperature T°C 37 ± 0.4 and DO% 57 ± 32. Cultures performed with direct gas sparging showed a 25-45% reduction in VCD (depending on the aeration strategy used) and a similar reduction in antibody titre. Overall this work shows the successful application of the miniature bioreactor system for industrially relevant fed-batch cultures and highlights the impact of the dispersed gas phase on cell culture performance at the small scale.