4.4.4 Continuous flow bioreactors with a special smart coating
Continuous bioreactors constantly convert raw material inputs into
intermediate or final products. These systems can have the advantage of
lowering manufacturing costs, reducing the footprint of the production
facility and overall improved quality, reproducibility and
standardization of outputs. Miotto et al. [38] recently reported the
first successful proof-of-concept design for a closed, continuous system
for therapeutic cell production using fibroblast-like cells [39].
The key technological element in the system is a smart enzyme-sensitive
coating comprising a fully synthetic, multifunctional peptide
amphiphile. With this special coating material, it was possible to
achieve a steady-state condition, where the number of cells
detached/produced for downstream applications was matched by their
proliferation. These researchers have only demonstrated their technology
at the very small scale on coverslips in 6-well plates, but have formed
a company, CellulaREvolution Ltd, to examine its utility in the
cultivated meat space [39]. Undoubtedly, computational modeling
techniques can be applied to further examine this novel technology, and
assess whether it can be applied to the future design of an actual
at-scale, closed, continuous bioreactor system. Reports of continuous
bioprocess systems for viral vaccine production using different cell
lines [40] should inform the design process for similar bioprocesses
in cultivated meat.