4.4.5 Rocking bioreactor design
Turbulent flows and shear forces can induce spontaneous generation of
stem cells [41], so reactor configurations which produce less of
these forces are of interest in cultivated meat production. Wave
bioreactors, designed to provide excellent mixing and gas transfer with
reduced shear stress, are well-suited to the culture of cells highly
sensitive to hydrodynamic conditions. These systems consist of a bag on
a rocking tray that agitates the cell culture with a back and forward
wave-like movement, and they are available at working volumes up to 500
L [42]. Computational fluid dynamic modeling approaches have been
applied to study fluid flow within wave bioreactor designs, with a focus
on an improved understanding of the effects of agitation and rocking
angle [42]. Interestingly, in their work, Zhan et al. [42] found
that the lowest rocking speed (15 rpm vs. 22 and 30 rpm) produced the
highest fluid velocity, mixing and shear forces due to a resonance
phenomenon. We intend to use these techniques coupled with other
approaches to inform a biological model, describing what happens to the
cells, how their proliferation is slowed or how apoptosis is induced for
some due to the forces they endure. These novel models should be
particularly useful to assess the suitability of a rocking bioreactor
design from Celltainer Biotech BVwhich has been promoted for use in cultivated meat production.