Irradiated Cell Culture Membrane Surface Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current membrane technologies for cell culture, particularly for adherent cells, fail to promote and sustain adherence, expansion, and differentiation without pre-treatment with extracellular matrix components like fibronectin or collagen, and they are not suitable for cell adhesion and growth due to their inability to maintain cellular morphology and function over extended periods.
Innovation Solution
Development of membranes treated with beta- or gamma-rays or an electron beam at doses of 12.5 to 175 kGy in the presence of oxygen, which allows for cell attachment and cultivation without the need for pre-treatment with extracellular matrix components, using polysulfone-based, polyethersulfone-based, or poly(aryl)ethersulfone-based synthetic membranes with PVP and optional low amounts of other polymers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If membranes are used for adherent cell culture without pre-treatment with extracellular matrix components, then process complexity and contamination risk are reduced, but cell adhesion and proliferation are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane surface is pre-modified by irradiation treatment during manufacturing to create inherent cell-adhesive properties. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsequent pre-treatment steps with extracellular matrix components, reducing process complexity while ensuring adequate cell adhesion and proliferation from the start of cell culture
Solution Approach 2:
The irradiation treatment changes the physical and chemical parameters of the membrane surface, creating a surface morphology and composition that inherently promotes cell adhesion. This parameter change occurs during membrane manufacturing, eliminating the need for additional pre-treatment steps and reducing overall process complexity
2Reliability
If membranes are pre-treated with extracellular matrix components like fibronectin or collagen, then cell adhesion and morphology are improved, but contamination risk and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is designed to provide its own cell-adhesive surface properties through irradiation treatment during manufacturing. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external extracellular matrix components, reducing contamination risk while maintaining cell morphology and adhesion through the membrane's inherent surface characteristics
3Reliability
If membranes are pre-treated with extracellular matrix components, then cell adhesion is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The irradiation treatment that creates cell-adhesive surface properties is merged with the existing membrane manufacturing process. This integration occurs during membrane production, combining surface modification with manufacturing steps and eliminating the need for separate pre-treatment processes, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while ensuring reliable cell adhesion
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The irradiated membranes exhibit growth characteristics similar to or superior to tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) plates, supporting cell expansion, re-attachment, morphology control, and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and other cell types, while reducing the risk of contamination and process complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the irradiation of the wet or dry membrane with gamma- or beta-rays or an electron beam
Implementation Method 2
the irradiation of the wet or dry membrane with gamma- or beta-rays or an electron beam
Implementation Method 3
the irradiation of the wet or dry membrane with gamma- or beta-rays or an electron beam
Implementation Method 4
in a dose of from 12.5 to 175 kGy in the presence of oxygen
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a membrane which can be used for cultivating adherent or suspension cells, in particular adherent cells, wherein said membrane allows for the adhesion and proliferation of the cells due to the irradiation of the wet or dry membrane with gamma- or beta-rays or an electron beam in a dose of from 12.5 to 175 kGy in the presence of oxygen. The resulting membrane may be used without any pre-treatment with surface-modifying substances. The invention further relates to a method for preparing said irradiated membrane which can be used for the cultivation of cells, in particular adherent cells, and to methods of using such a membrane for the cultivation of cells, in particular adherent cells.