Nanotechnology meets bioprocessing
new cell culture reactor that uses nanotechnology to support the
growth of more cells than conventional reactors. The bioreactor
could potentially boost the yield of biological drugs made in
cells.
GSI Creos is exhibiting its prototype at the Nano Tech 2005 exhibition, which opened at the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition centre yesterday.
The system makes use of GSI Creos' proprietary Carbere carbon nanotube technology, used to form nanoscale cups that can be added to a bioreactor as a powder. Carbere has a unique herringbone structure of stacked bottomless cups, making them particularly suited for use as an additive with good dispersion properties.
The result is a dramatic increase in the surface area for cell suspension. Initial experiments suggest that cells grow 30 per cent faster and lived 30 per cent longer than those grown in conventional reactors.
The company is gearing up to provide Carbere prototype samples to laboratories in the pharmaceutical, medical and food sectors, so that specific applications of the technology can be explored.
