Method and/or apparatus for producing a cell inoculum for use in a biomanufacturing or cell culture process

A method for a biomanufacturing process, said method including the steps of:

• taking a cell line sample and undertaking at least one cell passage with said cell line sample to increase the number of cells to form at least a first set of passaged cells;
• and subsequently using said first set and/or one or more subsequent sets of passaged cells for inoculating a bioreactor and/or for providing a cell bank, and wherein said method further includes the step of applying an electrical or electromagnetic stimulus, wave and/or one or more signals to any or any combination of:
• the cell line sample, to the at least first set of passaged cells and/or one or more subsequent sets of passaged cells to create a pre-conditioned cell inoculum, subsequently inoculating the bioreactor and/or providing the cell bank with the pre-conditioned cell inoculum.

A system for producing a cell inoculum suitable for use in a biomanufacturing or cell culture process, said system including at least one container for the containment of a cell line and/or at least one set of passaged cells;

• means for emitting an electrical or electromagnetic stimulus, wave and/or one or more signals therefrom;
• and wherein said means for emitting an electrical or electromagnetic stimulus, wave and/or one or more signals are arranged relative to said at least one container so that the cell line and/or the at least one set of passaged cells can receive the electrical or electromagnetic stimulus, wave and/or one or more signals in use.

A cell inoculum composition suitable for use in a biomanufacturing or cell culture process comprising a population of epigenetically modified cells, wherein the cell inoculum is obtainable by a process comprising the step of applying an electrical or electromagnetic stimulus, wave and/or one or more signals to any or any combination of:

• a cell line sample, a first set of passaged cells derived from the cell line sample by a cell passage step to increase the number of cells, and/or one or more subsequent sets of passaged cells derived from the first set of passaged cells by one or more cell passage step(s) to increase the number of cells;
• wherein the epigenetically modified cells exhibit an increase in protein productivity in comparison to untreated cells, an increase in ribosomal activity in comparison to untreated cells, or both.

A cell inoculum composition comprising a population of epigenetically modified HEK cells, wherein the epigenetically modified HEK cells exhibit an increase in protein productivity in comparison to untreated cells, an increase in ribosomal activity in comparison to untreated cells, or both.

A cell inoculum composition comprising a population of epigenetically modified CHO cells, wherein the epigenetically modified CHO cells exhibit an increase in protein productivity in comparison to untreated cells, an increase in ribosomal activity in comparison to untreated cells, or both.