Co-Culture Bioreactor System
AssigneeClemson University Research Foundation
InventorsDavid E. Orr, Karen J.L. Burg
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed are multi-chambered cell co-culture systems. The systems can be utilized to encourage the growth and development of isolated cells in a dynamic three-dimensional in vitro environment. The cell chambers (10) of the system can be in biochemical communication with adjacent chambers containing cells of different types, but the different cell types are maintained physically separated from one another. In addition, the local environment of each cell chamber can be independently controlled. For example, fluid flow characteristics through a single cell chamber can be independently controlled and maintained for each separate chamber of the system.
Claims25
A co-culture bioreactor system comprising:
- a first culture chamber, said first culture chamber defining a first inlet and a first outlet for providing a first fluid flow through said first culture chamber;
- a second culture chamber, said second culture chamber defining a second inlet and a second outlet for providing a second fluid flow through said second culture chamber;
- and
- a semi-permeable membrane locatable between said first culture chamber and said second culture chamber, wherein said semi-permeable membrane has a porosity to allow passage of cellular expression products through said semi-permeable membrane and to prevent passage of cells through said semi-permeable membrane, said semi-permeable membrane being formed of a material to discourage cellular attachment to said semi-permeable membrane.
A co-culture bioreactor system comprising:
- a first culture chamber, said first culture chamber defining a first inlet and a first outlet for providing a first fluid flow through said first culture chamber;
- a second culture chamber, said second culture chamber defining a second inlet and a second outlet for providing a second fluid flow through said second culture chamber;
- a semi-permeable membrane locatable between said first culture chamber and said second culture chamber, wherein said semi-permeable membrane has a porosity to allow passage of cellular expression products through said semi-permeable membrane and to prevent passage of cells through said semi-permeable membrane;
- and
- a cellular anchorage, said cellular anchorage being locatable within said first culture chamber at a distance from said semi-permeable membrane.
A method for culturing cells comprising:
- providing a first cell type to a first culture chamber, said first culture chamber including an first inlet and a first outlet to allow a first fluid flow therethrough;
- providing a second cell type to a second culture chamber, said second culture chamber including a second inlet and a second outlet to allow a second fluid flow therethrough;
- maintaining said first cell type and said second cell type in a physically isolated state from one another;
- and
- allowing biochemical communication between said first said cell type and said second cell type.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.