CFD-Aided Design of a Dynamic Culture System for the Co-Culture of Adherent and Non-Adherent Cells

Haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation has been widely used to treat patients that have undergone high-dose chemotherapy or radiotherapy for haematological or non-haematological malignancies, and is currently investigated for the treatment of several other pathologic conditions. Nevertheless, present and expected clinical applications are hindered by the shortage of cells available for transplantation. Hence, many researchers have attempted to achieve an in vitro expansion of HSCs, using different experimental set-ups and approaches, which range from traditional static monolayer cultures to three-dimensional (3D) dynamic systems. Specifically, several bioreactor systems have been proposed, including perfusion chambers, stirred, rotating, hollow fiber, and packed bed reactors [1]. Taken together, literature studies suggest that a dynamic 3D culture system may provide superior expansion of HSCs.