Next-Generation Stem Cell Expansion Technologies
Published: November 6, 2018Latest Advances in Bioprocessing: Overcoming Bottlenecks
Carlos AV Rodrigues, Diogo ES Nogueira & Joaquim MS Cabral
EXPERT INSIGHT
Cell therapies, where living cells are used as therapeutic agents, either to regenerate tissues affected by disease or to act as delivery agents for secreted factors, are commonly based on the action of stem cells or their differentiated progeny. These cells also have great potential for drug discovery, providing access to inaccessible patient-specific cell types. However, stem cells, which are the most important ‘raw material’ for these applications, have to be expanded in vitro to generate the high quantities of cells that are expected to be required. Decades of research and application of bioreactor engineering concepts have provided a solid foundation for use of advanced culture technologies for stem cell manufacturing. The particular challenges of producing high quantities of functional cells are discussed here as well as innovative approaches and technologies that may revolutionize the field.
DOI: 10.18609/cgti.2018.076Citation: Cell Gene Therapy Insights 2018; 4(8), 791-804.
