Much of research and biomanufacturing depends on eukaryotic, bacterial
or fungal cells growing in a "living" environment in order to produce a cellular
response, a metabolic byproduct or more cells. In all cases, cellular research is
either classified as in vivo or in vitro. Spectrum has advanced research
by using hollow fiber porous membranes to combine the control of in vitro experimentation
with the realism of in vivo studies. Hollow fiber membranes with a size-restrictive
porous matrix simply provide the most efficient, naturally occurring
geometry for the separation of cells and macromolecules. Spectrum offers hollow
fiber products for the complete scope of cell management technologies.
In collaboration with the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Spectrum has taken cell
implantation and drug discovery to new levels. Our proprietary CellMax®
Implant Hollow Fiber Membranes are implanted subcutaneously or intraperitoneally in an
organism to provide the encapsulated material (cell, new drug or research compound)
the natural cellular environment in order to achieve a TRUE-to-LIFE response!
Once identified, the target cell line can then be cultivated using the
CellMax Hollow Fiber System.
Spectrum has advanced cell culturing technology with the CellMax Artificial Capillary Cell Culture System.
The hollow fiber membrane and pump mimics the
highly efficient human circulatory system to allow SIMPLY yet fruitful 3-dimensional
growth of PURE cells within the cartridge achieving a higher cell density and a more
efficient use of culture medium. The HF cartridge also allows secreted PURE products
to be concentrated in a small volume eliminating the need to concentrate liters of
media and making culture harvesting SIMPLE and more cost effective.
Cultured cells require nutrient rich medium and oxygenation in order to grow.
Spectrum utilized a 0.2 µm hollow fiber membrane barrier with a large surface
area in a compact device as a means to provide these culturing essentials while
preventing potential contamination of the culture. MediaKap® Plus filters serum rich
medium with the ASSURANCE of sterility.
CultureGard® filters PROTECT the culture from contamination when adding medium
to the culture. And CellGas® modules supply dissolved oxygen while PROTECTING
against cell lysis associated with sparging and stirrers.
As the cell density in bioreactors increases, it exhausts the nutrient supply and accumulates
metabolic byproducts that inhibit cell growth and replication. Slowly recirculating
the culture through the hollow fiber membranes in a CellFlo®
Plus module, not only
eliminated metabolic wastes but also permits product harvesting, draws in nutrient
rich medium and extends the life of the culture. HF continuous perfusion is the VIABLE
OPTION that converts standard bioreactor culturing to efficient cell harvesting and
product manufacturing.
Typically the objective of cell culturing is to facilitate cellular production and replication
to greatly increase the amount of a specific molecular species. After culturing, the
cellular suspension can be processed via hollow fiber tangential flow filtration to isolate,
concentrate and purify the desired product, which may be secreted proteins,
integral proteins or the cell themselves. In all cases, the GENTLE FILTRATION of
CellFlo Plus modules maintains cell integrity and prevents product contamination by
intracellular debris.
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