Raphael ThysGenetic Engineering & Biotechnology News
Researchers from the University of Technology Sydney, in collaboration with Regeneus, developed a 3D-printed modular microfluidic closed system that can be utilized in the cellular manufacturing of mesenchymal stem cells. [University of Technology Sydney]
Scientists say they have developed a novel 3D printed system for harvesting stem cells from bioreactors, offering the potential for high quality, wide-scale production of stem cells in Australia at a lower cost.
Majid Warkiani, PhD, a biomedical engineer at the University of Technology Sydney led the translational research, in collaboration with industry partner Regenus, an Australian biotechnology company developing stem cell therapies to treat inflammatory conditions and pain.
Modular 3D printed microfluidic system. [Majid Warkiani et al. Bioresources and Bioprinting 2022]
“Our cutting-edge technology, which uses 3D printing and microfluidics to integrate a number of production steps into one device can help make stem cell therapies more widely available to patients at a lower cost,” said Warkiani. “While this world-first system is currently at the prototype stage, we are working closely with biotechnology companies to commercialize the technology. Importantly, it is a closed system with no human intervention, which is necessary for current good manufacturing practices.”
The new system was developed to process mesenchymal stem cells, a type of adult stem cell that can divide and differentiate into multiple tissue cells including bone, cartilage, muscle, fat, and connective tissue. Mesenchymal stem cells are initially extracted from human bone marrow, fat tissue or blood. They are then transferred to a bioreactor in the lab and combined with microcarriers to allow the cells to proliferate.
The new system combines four micromixers, one spiral microfluidic separator, and one microfluidic concentrator to detach and separate the mesenchymal stem cells from microcarriers and concentrate them for downstream processing.
The study (“A modular 3D printed microfluidic system: a potential solution for continuous cell harvesting in large‑scale bioprocessing”) was recently published in Bioresources and Bioprocessing.
Warkiani said other bioprocessing industrial challenges can also be addressed using the same technology and workflow, helping to reduce costs and increase the quality of a range of life-saving products including stem cells and CAR-T cells.