Optimised Tools for Quality Conscious Cell Cell Culture Culture Laboratories

Integra Biosciences AG has introduced a range of new enhancements to its popular CELLSPIN and CELLROLL systems that assist quality assurance and enhance operational flexibility.

The CELLSPIN is a compact system with remote control for spinning cell culture volumes from 100 to 1000 ml at 5-75 rpm. Two CELLSPIN systems fit comfortably inside a standard size incubator. T and the CELLROLL is a compact roller system for the cultivation of adherent and suspension cells. It can be used for cell studies, cultivating cells or for producing cellular products such as antibodies and recombinant proteins on a research or laboratory scale.

Working in cooperation with a major pharmaceutical company, INTEGRA Biosciences have developed an alarm interface (AI) for the CELLSPIN (CS) and CELLROLL (CR) systems. Offered as an accessory this new piece of hardware connects to the control unit of the systems to enable direct monitoring of different parameters including speed of stirring (CELLSPIN) or rotation (CELLROLL), the on-off status of the instrument and to sense when there is a power failure or the control unit stops sending signals to the motor units.for example when the CS or CR are disconnected. The data from the AI can be fed into a lab management/process monitoring system or connected to an alarm system providesing a secure audit of instrument functioning that is important in a GMP regulated environment.

For users that have to perform equipment qualification procedures, INTEGRA Biosciences have developed a series of protocols and documentsprepared protocols for the CELLSPIN and CELLROLL systems to help the user during enable Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ), Design Qualification (DQ) and Performance Qualification (PQ).

To increase operational flexibility design modifications have been implemented on the new generation CELLSPIN allowing the high performance system to now be used with all common spinner flasks, independently of the used impeller type.

The impeller used in the Integras's spinner flasks is based on Incorporating a proprietary dual glass pendulum mechanism CELLSPIN moves the contents of flasks with a unique oscillating movement that guarantees low shear force while maintaining optimum mixing. CELLSPIN flasks are manufactured to provide a high surface to volume ratio ensuring improved oxygenation over standard designs. As additionally no heat is imparted to the cell suspension, the CELLSPIN system enables high yield expression from even the most sensitive adherent or suspended cell lines is possible. The highly flexible CELLSPIN system, comprising moisture-resistant flask deckstirring platform and removable control unit, has been built to provide the versatility for use in research or laboratory -scale cell cultivation. Each CELLSPIN stirring platform duplicates gentle stirring conditions in up to four spin flasks. CELLSPIN flasks are manufactured to provide a high surface to volume ratio ensuring improved oxygenation over standard designs. The stability of each flask, irrespective of its size, is guaranteed by auto-centre coning. An advanced control unit enables the entire cell cultivation working process to be pre-programmed through use of a non-volatile memory facility. Facility is provided for pProgramming options includeautomatic adjustment rotary velocity, rotary angle and the interval between, plus length of work cycles allowing secure handling of even sensitive cell lines.