Measurements of the growth and distribution of mammalian cells in a hollow-fiber bioreactor using nuclear magnetic resonance imaging.

We have used diffusion-weighted 1H NMR micro-imaging and localized spectroscopy techniques to monitor the growth and distribution of mammalian cells in a hollow-fiber bioreactor. Non-invasive NMR measurements of this type should also allow investigation of metabolic heterogeneity and assist in future designs of hollow-fiber systems.