This past year we had some excellent expert discussions through our Ask the Expert sessions and our Mini-webinar sessions. Topics include: upstream and downstream biomanufacturing, stem cell culture, cell therapy and drug discovery. I have listed our most Ask the Expert sessions and Mini-webinars here in alphabetical order.

A Naturally Produced Extracellular Matrix that mimics stem cells’ native biochemical and structural microenvironment for improved performance

Cell and extracellular matrix interaction has been shown to play an important role in stem cell behavior and lineage differentiation, with cells’ microenvironment regulating many aspects of cell behavior. In this mini-webinar and accompanying article, Sy Griffey, Ph.D. Chief Operating Officer, StemBioSys, presents an innovative, naturally produced extracellular matrix that provides a higher quantity of usable stem cells, that are more proliferative, and less differentiated when compared to cells grown on TCP and other comparable substrates. It is the only stem cell substrate that closely mimics the full biochemical and structural microenvironment that stem cells experience in vivo…

De-risking early stage clinical trials – an upstream continuous production solution for biologics

In this mini-webinar, Scott Waniger, VP Bioprocessing, Cell Culture Company, presents a cost effective, early stage clinical trial  production process. This process utilizes a continuous upstream manufacturing approach, which reduces production time, lowers cost and simplifies scale-up…

Dissolvable microcarriers – Efficient and streamlined stem cell harvest for cell therapy biomanufacturing

In this Ask the Expert discussion, we covered topics related to the large scale culture of stem cells for cell therapy and the use of dissolvable microcarriers as an enabling technology. Topics included general questions about the use of microcarriers in cell therapy manufacturing, for example, microcarrier optimization, cell aggregation when using microcarriers, and recommended scale for switching to microcarriers. In addition, we had several questions related to the use of dissolvable microcarriers that included, compatible cell types, cell attachement, cell harvest, media, bioreactor compatibility, and durability.

Fine Tuning Viral Clearance Approaches with a Total Viral Challenge Strategy

In this mini-webinar, Michael Burnham, M.S., Senior Principal Scientist, Process Development and Commercialization, WuXi AppTec, presents a viral clearance strategy that focuses on spiking load or starting material based on total viral load instead of percent spike model…

Increasing Protein Production with Novel Cell-Ess Titer Boost without Affecting the Metabolic Profile

In this mini-webinar, Adam Elhofy, PhD, CSO, Essential Pharmaceuticals, presents data summarizing the findings of a recent study“Novel Cell-Ess ® supplement used as a feed or as an initial boost to CHO serum free media results in a significant increase in protein yield and production” published in Computational and Structural Biology Journal (Volume 14, 2016, p. 319-324) The study focuses on the use of a novel media supplement called Cell-Ess that increases protein productivity via yield per cell while not impacting the metabolic profile via a unique lipid delivery mechanism. Dr. Elhofy initially gave this talk at Boston Biotech Week 2016, and we are excited to be able to share it on the Cell Culture Dish…

In-line Viral Load Measurement using Smart Cell Culture Monitoring

In this mini-webinar, Jan Van Hauwermeiren, Business Development Manager, Ovizio, presents the use of Smart in-line cell culture monitoring as an efficient way to measure viral load in real-time. This kind of real-time measurement is only possible with the iLine F. The iLineF is an innovative microscopy technology that instead of taking a 2D image of a microscopic object, takes a hologram of a microscopic volume. Then for each microscopic object within the culture volume, it can compute a holographic fingerprint. This fingerprint can then be used to analyze, identify, count and assess viability of cells in culture…

Managing Shear Stress in Biomanufacturing with the shear protectant Poloxamer 188 – A Discussion

In this Ask the Expert discussion, we had questions that covered topics including factors that contribute to shear, analyzing and modeling shear stress in a bioreactor, and how to use a shear protectant to protect against shear. In addition, we had several questions related to Poloxamer 188 implementation, best practices, cell lines, qualification and media concentration level…

Matrigel® – Tips, Tricks and Troubleshooting

In this Ask the Expert discussion, we had a wide range of questions and discussed everything from storage and handling recommendations to Matrigel for 3D bioprinting. Specific topics included Matrigel best practices for: culturing a variety of cell types, imaging, analytical methods, cell invasion assays, harvesting, and 3D culture…

Organoid Cell Culture – Frequently Asked Questions

In this Ask the Expert discussion, we covered topics related to the culture of organoids including, media requirements, co-culture with other cells, surface requirements, culture vessels, nutrient delivery and gas exchange, harvesting organoids, and key points on the cell culture process timeline. In addition, we also had questions about making organoid cell culture more high throughput to meet the needs of drug screening, the difference between spheroids and organoids, and best practices for immunostaining of organoids…

Purposeful design of a next-generation single-use film for optimized performance in biomanufacturing

In this mini-webinar, Susan Burke, PhD, Bioprocess R&D, GE Healthcare, Life Sciences, presents the process in which GE Healthcare developed a next-generation single-use platform film, Fortem™. Fortem is available across GE’s entire portfolio of single-use products and was designed to maintain critical performance attributes, such as container integrity and gas barrier properties, under the significant forces exerted during bioprocess operations…

Transient Protein Production – Tips and Tools for Optimization

In this Ask the Expert discussion, we discussed factors that influence transfection, troubleshooting, and optimizing productivity. Specific topics included host cell choice, target types, factors that impact transfection efficiency, increasing titers, and improving quality.

Using GMP Proteins in Cell Therapy Manufacturing – Our Expert Answers Key Questions

In this Ask the Expert discussion,  we discussed differences between research use only and GMP proteins. Specific topics included quality testing, FDA support, supplier responsibility, and transitioning from research use only to GMP proteins…