Fluid and mass transport modelling to drive the design of cell-packed hollow fibre bioreactors for tissue engineering applications.

Journal article

A model for fluid and mass transport in a single module of a tissue engineering hollow fibre bioreactor (HFB) is developed. Cells are seeded in alginate throughout the extra-capillary space (ECS), and fluid is pumped through a central lumen to feed the cells and remove waste products. Fluid transport is described using Navier-Stokes or Darcy equations as appropriate; this is overlaid with models of mass transport in the form of advection-diffusion-reaction equations that describe the distribution and uptake/production of nutrients/waste products. The small aspect ratio of a module is exploited and the option of opening an ECS port is explored. By proceeding analytically, operating equations are determined that enable a tissue engineer to prescribe the geometry and operation of the HFB by ensuring the nutrient and waste product concentrations are consistent with a functional cell population. Finally, results for chondrocyte and cardiomyocyte cell populations are presented, typifying two extremes of oxygen uptake rates.

Authors: Shipley, R; Waters, S

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Mathematical medicine and biology : a journal of the IMA
• Volume: 29
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 329-359
• Publication date: 2012-12-01
• DOI: 10.1093/imammb/dqr025
• EISSN: 1477-8602
• ISSN: 1477-8599
• Language: English
• Keywords: Rheology; Kinetics; Cells, Cultured; Mathematical Concepts; Equipment Design; Oxygen Consumption; Glucose; Lactic Acid; Humans; Alginates; Tissue Engineering; Models, Biological; Hexuronic Acids; Glucuronic Acid; Hydrodynamics; Bioreactors