A NMR-compatible and reduced gravity simulation based (NRG) bioreactor for on-line monitoring cell culture metabolism.

ABSTRACT

We developed a NMR-compatible microgravity-based bioreactor (NRG[R]) that offers the advantage of an analytical non-invasive approach associated to the effects of an optimized suspension culture. The simulated microgravity conditions reached in the bioreactor are analogous to those of commercial apparatus like the Rotating Wall Vessel (RWV) system. The faster proliferation of endothelial cells cultured in the NRG bioreactor (doubling time 28 +/- 1.7 vs. 43 +/- 5.6 h of the control grown in RWV) are attributed to different oxygenation conditions and medium wash out.