Next ‐generation polymerized human hemoglobins in hepatic bioreactor simulations

In this study, T ‐state PolyhHb production and purification processes were optimized to minimize the concentration of low‐molecular‐weight PolyhHb species in solution. Deconvolution of size‐exclusion chromatography spectra was performed to calculate the distribution of polymeric Hb species in the final produ ct. Fluid flow and mass transport within a single fiber of a hepatic HF bioreactor was computationally modeled with finite element methods to simulate the effects of employing T‐state PolyhHb to facilitate O2 transport in a hepatic bioreactor system. Optimal bioreactor performance was defined as having a combined hypoxic and hyperoxic volume fraction in the extracapillary space of less than 0.05 where multiple zones were observed. The Damk öhler number and Sherwood number had strong inverse relationships at each cell density and fiber thickness combination. These results suggest that targeting a specific Damköhler number may be beneficial for optimal hepatic HF bioreactor operation.
Source: Biotechnology Progress - Category: Biotechnology Authors: Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research