Abstract: A formulation for a culture medium that is specifically designed to supplement a culture of differentiating hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) with the factors necessary for high density manufacture of red blood cells (RBCs) while only requiring partial medium exchanges on a periodic basis. Further, the present disclosure identifies a factor, iron (III) citrate, also referred to as ferric citrate, that can supplant more commonly utilized sources of biological iron in culture medium for a more stable, more cost-effective medium formulation for superior vertical scalability.

Abstract: A method includes directing fluid flow from a bioreactor to an external path of a re-circulation loop, separating cells from the medium and returning the cells to the bioreactor thereby leaving spent medium, depleting the spent medium of biological waste products, replenishing the spent medium with beneficial growth factors to thereby provide replenished medium, and directing the replenished medium back to the bioreactor to thereby complete the re-circulation loop such that recycling of the medium occurs. The replenishing of the spent medium with beneficial growth factors may occur within a medium collection reservoir. The method may further include monitoring the spent medium within the medium collection reservoir including temperature of the spent medium within the medium collection reservoir and pH of the spent medium within the medium collection reservoir.

Abstract: A pumpless microfluidic system is disclosed that can be used to mimic the interaction of organ systems with the immune system. Also disclosed is a method for mimicking an immune system, comprising culturing a plurality of organ cells and at least one population of immune cells in the disclosed pumpless microfluidic system under physiological conditions. The method can further comprise activating an immune reaction in the pumpless microfluidic system, continuing the culture for a defined period, collecting a sample of culture medium from the system, and assaying the sample for one or more indicators of an immune response.

Abstract: A pumpless microfluidic system is disclosed that can be used to mimic the interaction of organ systems with the immune system. Also disclosed is a method for mimicking an immune system, comprising culturing a plurality of organ cells and at least one population of immune cells in the disclosed pumpless microfluidic system under physiological conditions. The method can further comprise activating an immune reaction in the pumpless microfluidic system, continuing the culture for a defined period, collecting a sample of culture medium from the system, and assaying the sample for one or more indicators of an immune response.