Abstract: A cell culture apparatus is disclosed. The cell culture apparatus includes a chassis or supporting frame. The cell culture apparatus also includes a rotor releasably housing a plurality of cell culture vessels/roller bottles, the rotor being mounted about a substantially horizontal axis or shaft supported by said frame, with means provided to facilitate rotation of the rotor at a controlled speed. The cell culture apparatus also includes a reversible multi-channel pump or pumps, mounted on and rotating with the rotor. The cell culture apparatus also includes a manifold with one or more sealable external connections and a plurality of connections communicating with the individual channels of the multi-channel pump or pumps, each of the cell culture vessels being equipped with a microporous air vent to atmosphere and a dip tube. The dip tube is fixed with respect to the cell culture vessel and positioned to permit extraction of fluid when the cell culture vessel is stopped in a specific orientation.