Agitation and aeration effects in suspension mammalian cell cultures.

Three different hybridoma cell lines, grown in serum-free media with different levels of Pluronic F-68, were subjected to a shear force of 0.6 N m(-2). Some protective effect due to the polymer was found, indicating it to be a potentially useful adjuvant in serum-free media. Other observations of liquid and gas effects at the reactor level have been included here. A discussion of the difference between suspension and microcarrier cultures, in relation to hydrodynamic effects, is included.