摘要:
Biotechnology-derived protein drugs, usually referred as biologics, represent a significant part of the whole pharmaceutical market. Typically, biologics are produced in genetically modified animal cells, which are regarded by many engineers and practitioners in the pharmaceutical industry as extremely sensitive to hydrodynamic forces. Since during research or normal operation in the biopharmaceutical industry cells are exposed to a range of hydrodynamic forces, this shear sensitivity idea often leads to very mild, sub- optimal designing and operating conditions. To determine the actual levels of hydrodynamic stress capable of affecting the metabolism or viability of a cell line in bioprocessing or analytical devices, a microfluidic contracting-expanding device was developed in our group that exposes cells to controlled, well-defined hydrodynamic forces by means of keeping the flow in laminar conditions. Using this device, changes in cell behavior can be determined as a function of the local energy dissipation rate (EDR). EDR is a scalar value that is intrinsic to any moving fluid, is independent of the flow regime (turbulent/laminar) and accounts for both shear and extensional components of three-dimensional flow. It represents the rate at which work is done on a fluid element or a cell. If laminar flow is maintained, EDR can be reliably calculated using well-established equations for simple geometries or computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software for more complex problems. The microfluidic device, consisting of a micro-channel bored in a stainless steel sheet in sandwich between two polycarbonate plates, was used in different setups to imitate the environment cells will experience in both bioprocessing and analytical equipment. As a model for analytical devices, it was selected a Fluorescent Activated Cell Sorter (FACS), where cells are forced through a nozzle and interrogated by a laser beam. This instrument was mimicked by passing the cells once through the mic