Culturing stem cells in shakers

Shaken stem cells exhibit far better, scalable growth than static stem cell cultures. There are two agitation options: either in a suitable incubation shaker or in an incubator with a specialized benchtop shaker compatible for use in the CO2 atmosphere. In order to successfully culture stem cells in a suspension or on microcarriers, the shaker or incubator needs gentle mixing, precise CO2 regulation, and active, hygienic humidity control. Sterility plays an important role as well.

Constant, homogeneous conditions

Maintaining optimum culture conditions throughout the entire bioprocess is a prerequisite for obtaining reproducible results from a stem cell culture. It follows that an incubation shaker that has been optimized for stem cell cultures allows operators to precisely control the CO2 feed and humidity. Reliable temperature uniformity is important as well. An appropriately gentle drive system ensures that shear-sensitive cell suspensions will have enough oxygen available to them.

Hygienic environment for stem cells

Contamination in stem cell experiments is time-consuming and costly. Stem cell shakers therefore offer specialized features that reduce the risk of contamination. Ideally, shakers should also be equipped with other hygienic features, such as an antimicrobial coating and UV radiation. Another point to consider when selecting an incubation shaker is the ability to clean the shaker quickly and thoroughly, and a means of collecting overflow liquids in the inner chamber.

Shaker for CO2 incubators

Stem cells can also be cultivated on a shaker in a CO2 incubator. The benchtop shaker must be designed for use in the acidic incubator atmosphere, as it may otherwise be susceptible to corrosion. The ability to control the shaker from outside of the incubator and to detect operating conditions from a distance are also major advantages. The shaker used must produce as little waste heat as possible in order to ensure uniform temperature distribution and thus optimum conditions for the cells in the incubator.

Screening for optimum media components

Media components such as growth factors play a very important role in culturing stem cells, as they regulate the behavior of the stem cells—in other words, they influence cell viability, proliferation and differentiation. This means that, in addition to adjusting process parameters, the behavior of cultured stem cells can also be controlled in vitro by modifying media composition. Shakers are frequently used for optimizing media, as many experiments can be run cost-effectively and in parallel.

Automation reduces the need for manual interventions

Modern shaker accessories can optimize stem cell culturing, making the process more user friendly. Integrating an automated feeding system increases biomass yield and/or productivity with no need for stopping the culturing process manually— all while allowing users to create feeding profiles for a given application. In addition, bioprocess software also gives operators the ability to monitor and control the operating parameters of the incubation shaker or incubator from any location. Users can, for instance, program the incubation time required for stem cells to adhere to the microcarrier before shaking begins.

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Make your shaken stem cell culture a success

Minitron - Version for cell cultures

Minitron - Version for cell cultures

Compact incubation shaker for up to 18 L

  • Two units can be stacked

  • Small dimensions

Celltron

Celltron

Designed for use in CO2 incubators

  • Guaranteed resistance to corrosion

  • Antimicrobial surface

  • Magnetic display

eve®  – Bioprocess software for shakers

eve® – Bioprocess software for shakers

Workflow-oriented planning tools and comprehensive options for bioprocess control and monitoring

  • Location-independent monitoring and control of bioprocess parameters 

  • Detailed reporting according to GMP

  • Validation according to FDA 21 CFR Part 11 possible​ 

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The Multitron has greatly increased the production capacity of our small lab space. I’ve relied on these shakers for years and couldn’t be happier.
Nicole Lapuyade-Baker - Senior Research Associate CytomX Therapeutics
The best incubator on the market for culturing mammalian suspension cells in a humid, carbon dioxide atmosphere.
Matthew Higgins - Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, UK
I’ve worked with the Multitron Standard in the laboratory for 8 years. My conclusion: nearly maintenance-free, reliable temperature and agitation control and extremely flexible loading.
Dipl. Ing. Biot. MSc (FH) Christian Meier - Managing Director Infors Latam

«Shakers with antimicrobial coatings measurably reduce the risk of contamination in stem cell cultures.»

Raphaël Boillat — Head of Global Distribution Management

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