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Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry (2003) 38, (15–18) (Printed in Great Britain)

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Improvements in spinner-flask designs for insect-cell suspension culture

Gopinath V. Annathur¹, Jennifer L. Pierce, Rodney G. Combs, Anurag S. Rathore, Amit Banerjee and David E. Steinmeyer

Bioprocess and Formulation Technology, Pharmacia Corporation, Mail Stop AA2C, 700, Chesterfield Parkway North, Chesterfield, MO 63198, U.S.A.

Key words: baffle, inoculum scale up, insect cell culture, oxygen transfer, Sf9 cells, spinner flask.

Abbreviation used: k_La, volumetric oxygen-transfer coefficient.

¹To whom correspondence should be addressed (e-mail gvanna@pharmacia.com).

Experiments have been conducted to characterize the growth of Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm) (Sf9) cells in standard and modified spinner designs. Results suggest that in standard spinner flasks growth is limited by mixing and oxygen transfer. Modifications to spinner geometry, baffling and agitator aspect ratio provided increases in growth rate and final cell density. Improvements in the performance of spinners, such as those described herein, have the potential to simplify a process and decrease the chance of contamination by decreasing the number of required manipulations and increase process productivity by decreasing inoculum train cycle times.

Received 2 January 2003/7 February 2003; accepted 13 February 2003

Published as Immediate Publication 13 February 2003, DOI 10.1042/BA20030001

© 2003 Portland Press Ltd