Cell Retention Devices for Suspended-Cell Perfusion Cultures

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Abstract
Perfusion cultures of animal cells have several advantages over batch or fed-batch cultures. They give, for instance, higher productivities and a consistent product quality, and allow steady state operation and better cell physiology control. However, one of the main aspects limiting performance and scale-up of perfusion processes is the need for an adequate cell retention device. The devices currently in use for stirred perfusion bioreactors are continuous centrifuges, tangential flow membrane filters, dynamic filters, spin-filters, ultrasonic and di- electrophoretic separators, gravity settlers and, more recently, hydrocyclones. The advantages and disadvantages of each of these methods will be discussed.