ISSN:
0006-3592
Keywords:
cultured epidermal autografts
;
bioreactor
;
keratinocyte cultures
;
tissue engineering
;
Chemistry
;
Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
Notes:
The objective of this work was to engineer an automated system for the production of cultured epidermal autografts and sub-confluent cultured epidermal autografts. Human epidermal cells were grown directly on a transparent FEP film, which was held in place and surrounded by a polycarbonate growth chamber. The growth chambers were stacked to accommodate various surface area requirements. To monitor the development of the grafts, the upper-most growth chamber in the stack was periodically placed on a standard phase contrast microscope. The growth chambers were connected to a multi-channel peristaltic pump, which was controlled automatically to manage fluid-handling operations. Sub-confluent graft production involved removing the epidermal-film composite from the growth chambers and cutting desired graft geometries. Producing cultured epidermal autografts involved (1) removing the confluent epidermal-film composite from the growth chambers, (2) treating the composites with dispase, and (3) clipping the detached cultured epidermis to a synthetic support. Twelve to fifteen days were required to produce sub-confluent grafts (total surface area 3500-4500 cm2 50% confluent) and 18 to 24 d were required to produce standard cultured epidermal autografts (total surface area 3500-4500 cm2). The system reduces the tedious manual labor associated with producing cultured epidermal autografts. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 59:679-683, 1998.
Additional Material:
4 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
