Novel Perfusion Bioreactor Systems for Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Bioreactor systems that use a new aeration concept have recently been introduced. Bioreactors can assist in the development of new tissues in vitro by providing appropriate stimuli to the cell cultures. The design of bioreactors for tissue engineering is very complex and is often tailored to individual cell-engineered-tissue products. Critical elements in bioreactor systems based on cells and scaffolds include cell seeding, the nutrient and gas supply to cells, and mechanical stimuli. Flow perfusion systems have been shown to enhance cell growth, differentiation, and tissue formation as well as provide for the appropriate and necessary mass transfer of nutrients, gases, metabolites, and regulatory molecules. The beneficial effects of fluid flow induced convective transport and shear stress have been exploited in various types of bioreactors because fluid flow-through cell and tissue engineered constructs increase nutrient transport. These systems are called flow-perfusion bioreactors. In this paper, we review the characteristics of bioreactor systems used for cell Culture in tissue engineering, and provide a schematic design for a novel bioreactor system that incorporates the elements we deem critical for such systems.