Preparing antigen-specific T cells using a self-enclosed processing system that contains both a centrifuge and a magnetic separation column

A method of preparing T cells specific for a particular antigen from a sample of human whole blood or apheresis harvest using an apparatus that is configured for processing such cells using an interconnected assembly of disposable cell separation elements;

• wherein the interconnected assembly comprises:
• (a) a first connecting member configured to receive and deliver the sample to a rotatable container,
• (b) said rotatable container, which is configured to support culturing of cells in a processing chamber in the container, and is also configured to rotate about an axis, thereby applying centrifugal force to a sample in the chamber so as to separate cells from the sample from other components of the sample;
• (c) a second connecting member configured to transfer cells processed by the rotatable container to a cell separation column;
• (d) said separation column, which is configured to separate cells labeled with magnetic particles from cells not labeled with magnetic particles;
• and
• (e) a third connecting member configured to transfer cells separated by the cell separation column to a product collection container;
• wherein the method comprises:
• (1) delivering the sample through the first connecting member into the interconnected assembly;
• and
• (2) operating the apparatus such that the sample is processed by the rotatable container and by the separation column in the interconnected assembly whereby said antigen-specific T cells are delivered into the product collection container while maintaining sterility of the T cells throughout the processing.