System for 3D cultivation of plant cells and methods of use

A three-dimensional (3D) bioreactor for cultivating proliferating plant cells comprising:

• at least one packed bed chamber configured to confine proliferating plant cells within it such that the proliferating plant cells remain as a stationary three-dimensional biomass phase during cultivation;
• and
• at least one container comprising a fluid media, the fluid media is configured to flow through proliferating plant cells stationary three-dimensional biomass phase;
• a stirring mechanism functionally connected to said packed bed chamber and configured to blend the proliferating plant cells stationary biomass phase within said chamber, so as to rearrange the plant cells biomass and allow fluent flow of the fluid media through the plant cells, wherein said stirring mechanism comprises at least a large gear attached to a stirrer, said stirrer is positioned within said packed bed chamber, and a small gear attached to a handle;
• wherein the packed bed chamber is configured so that, after initial seeding, the plant cells are physically retained and do not circulate with the fluid media, thereby enabling in-situ development of large, stationary plant cell aggregates;
• wherein, the flow of the fluid media through the proliferating plant cells stationary three-dimensional biomass phase allows transfer of compounds from the fluid media into the cells and from the cells into the fluid media in a low shear force environment within the at least one packed bed chamber thereby replicating the natural growth environment of the proliferating plant cells stationary three-dimensional biomass within the 3D bioreactor.