Technology Framework of Cell Banking — Emerging Trends
Advancement in scientific research has made stem cell therapy an emerging and promising area of treatment and therapy. The trend of cell banking is increasing across the world to preserve the structure and function of cells, prevent the cells from contamination and damage, and utilize these cells in biomedical research and clinical applications. Emerging technology coupled with existing techniques also plays a major role in GMP cell banking services. Let’s take a look at the technologies that form the framework of cell banking and cell development.
- Perfusion Technology:
Perfusion technology has been around since the 1980s to expand flexibility and minimize cost. New technology, innovative logic control systems and single-use assemblies have simplified the implementation of perfusion technology. Perfusion technology uses a cell retention device and continuous media exchange. As a result, cell density is maintained for an extended period — weeks. The cell retention device keeps the cell in the reactor, adds the new media, and removes the waste product. New media is added at the same rate waste product is removed or old media is depleted. Perfusion with modern technologies fastens production decreasing time constraints.
- Single-use Technology:
Single-use technology is an important tool in commercial-level biotechnology because it saves space and improves efficiency. Single-use technology is flexible because it is discarded after its use and hence saves the costs of cleaning and infrastructure. The scalability of single-use technology is a challenging process but it has become possible today. In cell banking and cell development, the stainless steel cryo vessels are replaced by freezable plastic bags. It helps in easy shifts of portfolios according to market requirements.
- Cryopreservation Technology:
Cryopreservation is the use of very low temperatures to enable the storage of intact cells and tissues and other biological products. Cells and tissues can not be stored safely by simple cooling and freezing because ice crystal formation, membrane damage and osmotic shock cause cell death over extended periods. In cryopreservation, special cryoprotective agents are used to protect the living cells against the damaging effects of freezing temperature. Cryopreservation has changed the landscape of cell banking by easing one of the most difficult processes. Slow freezing, along with vitrification and the addition of cryopreservative agents, preserves the cells and tissues for extended periods.
- Improved Upstream and Downstream Processes:
The upstream process refers to the input of materials needed for the development, and the downstream process refers to the other end i-e the product obtained after the completion of the manufacturing process. The sophisticated technology of the present, better analytical systems, improved grip on research, and upgraded equipment and machinery have made it possible to significantly improve the upstream and downstream processes. As a result, the yield and the end-product quality are improved.
Concluding Thoughts:
Stem cell therapy is one of the leading treatments in the medical field today, and a huge amount of resources are channelled into this therapy for research and development. For making stem cell therapy more efficient and accessible to all, cell banking is important; and technology is making sure that cell banking stays at the top of its game.
