In typical cell cultures, cells are grown in a static environment, which means they are bathed in a fixed amount of nutrients and oxygen. But in Perfusion Cell Culture (PCC), cell cultures are provided with a continuous flow of nutrients and oxygen. This technique provides several advantages over static methods.
In this article, you’ll explore several advantages of PCC.
- Increased Cell Health and Viability
In PCC, there is a continuous supply of nutrients and oxygen. Unlike traditional static cultures, where nutrient depletion and waste buildup can be a problem, this technique ensures that the cells are consistently supplied with essential elements. This process promotes healthier, more viable cells, and enhances their proliferative potential.
- Higher Protein Yield
PCC maximizes the expression of recombinant proteins, hence ensuring a larger yield of proteins. Continuous circulation of fresh media improves the uptake of nutrients by cells, resulting in higher levels of protein production. The Perfusion Cell Culture technique improves the protein production rate, making it a preferred choice for commercial processes.
- Reduced Contamination
This technique minimizes the chances of contamination. Continuous media flow stresses the cells and removes dead cells, cell fragments, and undesired proteins, thus preventing contamination. In contrast, traditional static cells create an environment ideal for bacterial and viral growth, leading to a significant amount of contaminated products.
- Scalability
PCC is a highly scalable technology, suitable for pilot testing and industrial-scale production. This technique can be readily adapted to meet the increasing demands for cell-based products. Moreover, the technique provides easy access to the reactor, which makes it convenient to harvest cells.
