Methods and systems for harvesting cells
AssigneePluristem Ltd.
InventorsHarel Kasuto, Nirit Drori-Carmi, Barak Zohar
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Abstract
Methods for using vibration to harvest cells grown in 3D culture are provided. The methods entail the application of force to cells attached to a 3D matrix of sufficient amplitude, frequency, and duration to detach cells from the matrix and to flush the detached cells out of the matrix material. An apparatus for performing the methods of the invention as provided.
Claims57
An apparatus comprising an adherent material in a container, which container is disposed within a bioreactor chamber, and a vibrator for imparting a reciprocating motion to the container relative to the bioreactor chamber, the vibrator comprising one or more controls for adjusting amplitude and frequency of the reciprocating motion, wherein the vibrator is configured to vibrate in a manner causing cells attached to the adherent material to detach from the adherent material.
A method for harvesting cells grown in culture within an apparatus comprising i) an adherent material in a container, which container is disposed within a bioreactor chamber, and ii) a vibrator for imparting a reciprocating motion to the container relative to the bioreactor chamber, the vibrator comprising one or more controls for adjusting amplitude and frequency of the reciprocating motion, wherein the vibrator is configured to vibrate in a manner causing cells attached to the adherent material to detach from the adherent material, the method comprising:
- a) growing the cells on the adherent material, wherein the cells are attached to the adherent material;
- b) exposing the cells in the container to a dissociating agent;
- c) causing the vibrator to vibrate the adherent material in the container for a period of time at a frequency and amplitude sufficient to release the cells from the adherent material;
- and
- d) recovering the cells.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.