Abstract: A cell culture assembly is provided. The assembly includes a housing having a first end and a second end and the side wall disposed between the first and second ends. The side wall and the second end define a cell growth chamber and the first end defines an opening for receiving media and starter culture. The assembly includes a continuous elongated ribbon having a leader at one end and a cell growth portion formed into turns and disposed within the chamber. The first end of the ribbon is threaded through an aperture in the side wall with the leader exposed on the outside of the housing. A sealing member is disposed over the leader and the aperture to hermetically seal the aperture. The sealing member is removable to access the leader to pull the ribbon through the aperture. In a preferred embodiment, a squeegee assembly is disposed adjacent the aperture and is configured to apply a squeegee action to the ribbon as the ribbon is pulled through the aperture.