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ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO CULTURING STEM CELLSIN BIOREACTORSWhat is a Bioreactor?
Stem Cells - Building Blocks forFuture Medical Treatments
Stem cells have the extraordinary ability to self-renew and transform into various celltypes, forming the foundation of the human body. All body cells originate from stem
cells and undergo differentiation to achieve their final form and function as theymature. Embryonic stem cells are capable of developing into any tissue type, while
adult stem cells show pluripotency with a more limited range.

A bioreactor is an advanced equipment crucial

small-scale laboratory settings to large-scale

for modern biotechnological innovation. These

industrial production. They offer enhanced

systems offer precise regulation of criticalfeatures that improve the quality of stem cell

factors such as temperature, pH, oxygen levels,

cultures and make large-scale production

and nutrient delivery, which is crucial forfeasible. In critical biotechnological applications,

optimizing cell performance and product yield.

these sophisticated bioreactors are not justbeneficial—they are fundamental, enabling

Systems like the IKA HABITAT bioreactor areadvancements that outperform conventional

pivotal in transitioning stem cell cultivation frommethods.

Stem cells offer groundbreaking possibilities for advancing medical treatments. Byleveraging the unique properties of these cells, researchers aim to develop novel
therapies for a wide range of health conditions. Regenerative medicine, wherestem cells could be used to replace or regenerate damaged tissues, represents apromising frontier. Additionally, stem cells can be utilized for drug testing and diseasemodeling, providing more accurate representations than animal models. While largely
experimental, stem cell therapies offer remarkable possibilities for personalized andregenerative medicine, potentially improving the well-being of countless individuals.

Stem Cells

ne-refSellwa

Differentiation

Blood cells
Skin cells
Intestinal cells

Stem Cells

Intestinal cells

Figure legend: Stem cells divide tomaintain the stem cell pool (selfrenewal) while also developing new
body cells through differentiation

Muscle cells

Body Cells & Tissues

Nerve cells

Essential Guide to Culturing Stem Cells in Bioreactors | 2

Essential Guide to Culturing Stem Cells in Bioreactors | 3

/// Importance of Using a Bioreactor
for Culturing Stem Cells

Bioreactors offer numerous advantages including:› Automated operations and advanced controls allow researchers to closely monitor
and adjust critical culture parameters like pH, temperature, and nutrient levels. This
precise regulation promotes consistent and enhanced quality of the cell culture.

Traditional cell culture flasks are widely utilized in stem cell research and production
due to their affordability and ease-of-use. However, scaling up with these methods
means multiplying the number of containers. This inherently raises costs, labor,space requirements, and the risk of contamination. Furthermore, these methods facechallenges in maintaining consistent culture conditions and scaling up efficiently.

› Bioreactors simplify scale-up processes by expanding the culture environment
to larger volumes without the need for multiple separate culture systems. This
reduces labor, saves space, and improves batch-to-batch uniformity, addressing key
challenges in large-scale cell cultivation.

Alternatively, 3D cultivation within automated bioreactors creates conditions that moreclosely resemble the cell’s normal physiology, leading to potentially higher yields. Inbioreactors, stem cells can either be cultivated either attached to microcarriers or as selfassembling aggregates.

A› The tightly-controlled bioreactor environment is essential for maintaining stem cellproperties or guiding differentiation. By carefully regulating conditions, bioreactors
provide reliable outcomes and consistent product quality.
› Closed bioreactor systems limit contamination risk compared to open flask cultures.
The contained environment, combined with automation, creates a more robust andreproducible process.

scale-out

2DpassagingBpassaging

Culture strategy

scale-updissociationbioreactor types
wave bioreactor
Micro Carrier

3D

Aggregates

inoculation
single cells
stirred tank bioreactor

Figure legend: Stem cell expansion strategies

Essential Guide to Culturing Stem Cells in Bioreactors | 4

Essential Guide to Culturing Stem Cells in Bioreactors | 5

/// Why IKA HABITAT Bioreactors are
Optimal for Culturing Stem Cells

Precise environmental control
Mass flow controllers precisely regulate the input of air, nitrogen, and oxygen,
optimizing cell growth. Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels are a critical parameter in thisprocess. A dedicated carbon dioxide supply system maintains optimal pH levels,
while headspace gassing options facilitate efficient oxygen transfer with minimal
cellular perturbation. This precise control over the cell culture environment
promotes consistent and reproducible experimental results.

Advanced monitoring with next generation sensors
Advanced sensors for comprehensive bioprocess monitoring, including newgeneration sensors for biomass, cell viability, and off-gas analysis, offer highselectivity, sensitivity, and long-term stability. These sensors enable contaminationfree bioprocessing and improved operator efficiency by monitoring dissolved
carbon dioxide, conductivity, turbidity, Redox, cell viability, off-gas, temperatures,and non-intrusive foam.
Soft-sensors can be used to calculate and display specific batch data, such asparameter setpoints, organism-specific rates (μ, qs, RQ, etc.), and extended batchvalues (culture broth weight, biomass).

Reducing shear stress
IKA HABITAT Bioreactors have a reactor geometry with a pitched blade andimpeller design that ensures a gentle yet efficient mixing without the risk ofdamage from excessive shear forces. This approach optimizes the growth andmaintenance of suspension and sensitive adherent cells. A new chaotic mixing
mode that follows mathematical principles of chaotic-dynamic systems also
provides for a more homogeneous mixture.

Essential Guide to Culturing Stem Cells in Bioreactors | 62023/// How IKA HABITAT Bioreactors Enhance Lab Operations
IKA HABITAT Bioreactors are more than mere cultivation tools; they are integrated solutions designed to enhance operations withsmoother, more efficient workflows tailored to the dynamic needs of our customers.

Award-Winning Design

Solutions that Scale

Recognized with the iF DESIGN AWARD 2023, the IKA
HABITAT Bioreactor integrates the capabilities of a bioreactor,
photobioreactor, and fermenter, reducing the need for multiple
setups and switching. Its ergonomic handling, intuitive
operation, and user-friendly features, such as an open skid,
unique lid stand, and lightweight components, reduce operator
fatigue and improve portability. The compact design maximizes
bench space. The bioreactor's intelligent support systems andcontrols make it accessible to both beginners and experts.

IKA HABITAT Bioreactors excel from micro-scale research toindustrial production. They feature a chaotic mixing option forfaster mixing, an advantage especially beneficial at the beginningof an experiment. The bioreactor’s design includes a range ofvessel volumes from 0.5L to 10L, available in both single anddouble-wall configurations. Properly-sized motors for eachvolume—small for up to 2L, and larger for 5L to 10L—ensure
efficient operation and customization in contrast to the standard
one-size-fits-all motor approach. Advanced, integrated control
systems guarantee consistent scale-up processes, enabling
seamless capacity growth.

Consistent Quality
The IKA HABITAT Bioreactor sets the benchmark for consistentquality in bioprocessing by ensuring that each production
cycle meets the high standards expected in the industry.
Its sophisticated control systems and precision engineering
provide a dependable foundation for operations, guaranteeing
uniform outputs that streamline the entire downstream process.
Variable-speed, bi-directional peristaltic pumps and an optional
fifth pump provide for diverse fluid management. This fidelity
in performance facilitates the scalability of production andsignificantly reduces the occurrence of batch failures, mitigating
downtime and waste.

Cross-Platform Integration
OPC UA integration and extensive interface options includingUSB, Ethernet, and RS-232 to provide comprehensive data
connectivity. The lid's additional ports enable customized
modifications to accommodate a range of bioprocessing
applications.

Global Presence, Local Support
IKA's global presence provides comprehensive support,
including technical service, spare parts, calibration, qualification,and commissioning, empowering customers to achieve theirbioprocessing goals.
Essential Guide to Culturing Stem Cells in Bioreactors | 7

United Kingdom

Germany
PolandUSA

ThailandTurkeyChinaSpain

UgandaJapanIndia

Kenya
Korea

MalaysiaBrazilVietnamGlobal Partner for BioProcessing Solutions
GERMANY
IKA-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
StaufenPhone: +49 7633 831-0
sales@ika.de

MALAYSIA
IKA Works (Asia) Sdn Bhd
Kuala Lumpur (Rawang)
Phone: +60 3 6099-5666
sales.lab@ika.myINDIAIKA India Private Limited
Bangalore
Phone: +91 80 26253 900
info@ika.inUSA
IKA Works, Inc.
WillmingtonPhone: +1 910 452-7059
sales@ika.net

CHINA
IKA Works Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Phone: +86 20 8222 6771
info@ika.cn

BRASILIKA Brasil
Campinas/Rio de Janero
Phone: +55 19 3772-9600
sales@ika.net.br

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