A TUBULAR SEGMENTED-FLOW BIOREACTOR FOR THE INFECTION OF INSECT CELLSWITH RECOMBINANT BACULOVIRUS

A continuous process of insect cell (Sf9) growth and baculovirus infec tion is tested with the sequential combination of a CSTR and a tubular reactor. A tubular infection reactor enables continuous introduction of baculovirus and therefore avoids the 'passage effect' observed in t wo-stage CSTR systems. Moreover, a tubular reactor can be used to test cell infection kinetics and the subsequent metabolism of infected ins ect cells. Unlike batch and CSTR culture, cells in a horizontally posi tioned tubular reactor settle due to poor mixing. We have overcome thi s problem by alternately introducing air bubbles and media and by main taining a linear velocity sufficient to keep cells suspended. This art icle addresses the development of the tubular reactor and demonstrates its use as an infection system that complements the two-stage CSTR.