Estimation of specific glucose uptake rates in cultures of hybridoma cells.

The specific glucose uptake rate of a hybridoma cell line was determined in batch and continuous suspension cultures. For high density cultivation a membrane dialysis reactor was used. The aim was to obtain data, which can be used for process design and control. A decrease of the specific glucose uptake rate was observed during the course of batch cultures, even when the specific growth rate remained constant. These results are valid for cell densities between 2 x 10(5) and 2 x 10(6) ml-1. At cell densities between 2 x 10(6) and 1.5 x 10(7) ml-1 during continuous cultivation the specific glucose uptake rate remained constant. A relationship between the specific glucose uptake rate and the cell number was found and formulated in a mathematical equation. Literature data for different hybridoma cell lines fit in this plot very well. Applying this relationship, a correct estimation of the course of the glucose concentration in batch and continuous cultivation is possible.