PBS-15

The PBS Closed-System Sampling Conical supports aseptic, representative sample collection from PBS Vertical-Wheel® Bioreactors while maintaining process integrity and sample quality. The single-use assembly combines a gamma-irradiated vented conical, integrated dip tube, and weldable tubing to reduce contamination risk, handling steps, and operator variability. Compatible with stem cells, immune cells, organoids, and aggregate cultures, it supports routine in-process analyses including cell counts, viability testing, metabolite monitoring, and aggregate characterization.

This application note describes an hMSC manufacturing workflow using RoosterBio cell products, xeno-free media, and PBS Biotech Vertical-Wheel bioreactors. Studies evaluated microcarrier culture, fed-batch operation, harvest, scale-up, and cell quality. The low-shear, uniformly mixed environment supported robust attachment and cell densities up to 500,000 cells/mL within five days. Fed-batch processing improved media productivity by eliminating routine media exchanges and reducing labor. Comparable growth and metabolite control were maintained across development, pilot, and production…

This publication combines oxygen-transfer rate measurements through surface aeration for Vertical-Wheel bioreactors with specific oxygen-uptake measurements from human induced pluripotent stem cell aggregate cultures. Oxygen mass-transfer coefficients (kLa) were measured under different agitation rates, working volumes and headspace gas-flow conditions in 3, 15 and 80 L systems. The specific oxygen-uptake rate of iPSC aggregates was measured in a 0.1 L bioreactor using a custom dissolved oxygen probe configuration. These datasets were combined to estimate the theoretical maximum cell…

This publication characterizes power consumption in Vertical-Wheel® Bioreactors across multiple operating conditions. Studies evaluated how agitation rate, working volume, and vessel geometry influence energy input, mixing, and process scalability. Experimental measurements quantified power number relationships and established engineering correlations for bioprocess development and scale-up. The findings describe how Vertical-Wheel® Technology distributes energy throughout the culture environment while maintaining suspension and mixing efficiency. These experimentally derived hydrodynamic…

This publication examines upstream process challenges associated with scale-up of pluripotent stem cell cultures for commercial allogeneic cell therapy manufacturing. Key variables include seed train generation, hydrodynamics, aggregate morphology, oxygen transfer, carbon dioxide removal, medium exchange, and harvest. Computational fluid dynamics and experimental studies demonstrate the use of energy dissipation rate as a scale-up parameter for maintaining consistent aggregate morphology. The authors also present oxygenation and scalable medium exchange strategies to address process…

This publication characterizes Vertical-Wheel® Bioreactor hydrodynamics using computational fluid dynamics and biological validation with human induced pluripotent stem cell aggregates. The study evaluates velocity, energy dissipation rate, shear, and mixing across multiple scales and develops correlations for maintaining biologically relevant hydrodynamic conditions during scale-up. Cultures demonstrated reproducible aggregate formation, expansion, viability, and pluripotency within defined engineering ranges. The findings establish relationships between reactor scale, agitation, and cell…