Objectives: In cardiac regenerative medicine, hydrogel-based injectable scaffolds (hydrogel) are becoming a promising strategy for supporting the regeneration of injured heart. The rationale for this study is to assist the design of an innovative low-cost perfusion bioreactor for cell-seeded hydrogel feasibility testing, in which microgravity condition is realized by establishing a mixing slow vortex that allows adequate cell-seeded hydrogel suspension and oxygen transport without using rotating components. Computational fluid dynamics was applied to assist the bioreactor design and to identify the operating conditions that optimize mass transport in the culture chamber. Methods: The finite volume method was applied to simulate 3D multiphase (culture medium, cells, oxygen) fluid-dynamics, integrating calculations of diffusion, convection and consumption for assessing (1) the optimal geometric design, (2) the proper flow regime to be established within the culture chamber, and (3) the oxygen distribution and its consumption by cells. Results: Remarkable differences in the cell-seeded hydrogel distribution and suspension, in the shear stress distributions, and in the oxygen distribution and consumption arise due to variations in perfusion parameters. Our main findings are the optimization of the geometry of the chamber and the identification of a range of flow rate values that (1) allow cell-seeded hydrogel suspensions, avoiding sedimentation at the bottom of the chamber, (2) guarantee a safe range of shear stress values on cells, and (3) permit appropriate oxygenation. Conclusions: The present study allowed to properly design an innovative low-cost perfusion bioreactor (without rotating components) for cell-seeded hydrogel culture in microgravity conditions, ensuring homogenous distribution of cell-seeded hydrogel and adequate oxygen cellular consumption, and avoiding shear-induced cell damage. Findings from computational simulations will serve as criteria to set the operating conditions for future in vitro tests. The present work is carried out in the scope of BIOSCENT Project (ID 214539).
In Silico Study of an Innovative Microgravity Perfusion Bioreactor for Hydrogel-based Cardiac Regenerative Medicine
CONSOLO, FILIPPO;
2011-01-01
Abstract
Objectives: In cardiac regenerative medicine, hydrogel-based injectable scaffolds (hydrogel) are becoming a promising strategy for supporting the regeneration of injured heart. The rationale for this study is to assist the design of an innovative low-cost perfusion bioreactor for cell-seeded hydrogel feasibility testing, in which microgravity condition is realized by establishing a mixing slow vortex that allows adequate cell-seeded hydrogel suspension and oxygen transport without using rotating components. Computational fluid dynamics was applied to assist the bioreactor design and to identify the operating conditions that optimize mass transport in the culture chamber. Methods: The finite volume method was applied to simulate 3D multiphase (culture medium, cells, oxygen) fluid-dynamics, integrating calculations of diffusion, convection and consumption for assessing (1) the optimal geometric design, (2) the proper flow regime to be established within the culture chamber, and (3) the oxygen distribution and its consumption by cells. Results: Remarkable differences in the cell-seeded hydrogel distribution and suspension, in the shear stress distributions, and in the oxygen distribution and consumption arise due to variations in perfusion parameters. Our main findings are the optimization of the geometry of the chamber and the identification of a range of flow rate values that (1) allow cell-seeded hydrogel suspensions, avoiding sedimentation at the bottom of the chamber, (2) guarantee a safe range of shear stress values on cells, and (3) permit appropriate oxygenation. Conclusions: The present study allowed to properly design an innovative low-cost perfusion bioreactor (without rotating components) for cell-seeded hydrogel culture in microgravity conditions, ensuring homogenous distribution of cell-seeded hydrogel and adequate oxygen cellular consumption, and avoiding shear-induced cell damage. Findings from computational simulations will serve as criteria to set the operating conditions for future in vitro tests. The present work is carried out in the scope of BIOSCENT Project (ID 214539).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
