Innovative Solutions for Biotech Membranes
Applied Membrane Technology (AMT) has developed advanced membranes tailored to the specific requirements of differing cell lines – plant, microbial or mammalian. This represents a new approach to optimizing continuous cell culture production – one that will set new standards in cell productivity and in the production of biologically “active” cell products.
Rapid Development, Prototyping and Scale Up
AMT leverages its international research and development resources to identify or to rapidly develop the best biotech membrane technology for your specific needs. AMT can provide lab samples or pilot runs for tailored membrane solutions. We have extensive expertise in supporting biotech product development programs.
Manufacturing of USP Class 6 Approved Coatings for membranes
We at Applied Membrane Technology (AMT) offer large scale GMP production within clean room facilities. A strict quality assurance program ensures AMT’s membranes and modules are consistent and perform at the highest levels.
Technology
AMT creates unique surface properties on membranes by using plasma polymerization technologies. Coatings are covalently bonded to your substrate for long lasting quality and performance. Learn more about AMT’s unique biotech membranes.
Bio-Oxygenation
The use of bioreactors, both hollow fiber and suspension type, for the continuous cultivation of human, bacterial, animal, insect and plant cells is widely used in medicine, agriculture and related bio-process engineering. Proper gas exchange is a critical factor in successful exploitation of bioreactor systems. Obtaining sufficient oxygen concentrations without bubbling or foaming becomes increasingly difficult for the dense cell cultures found in bioreactors.
The fundamental problems associated with meeting cellular oxygen demand rates are that oxygen is only sparingly soluble in culture media and the slow stirring speeds required to mix shear-sensitive cells are inefficient for achieving high mass transfer. If pure oxygen or air bubbles directly into a bioreactor, cell flotation, proteins denaturation and foaming problems will occur.
Applied Membrane Technology (AMT) Hollow Fiber Gas Exchange
The interposing of membranes in between the cell culture media and the gas supply/removal system solves the problems of gas mixing and mass transfer. Applied Membrane Technology’s (AMT) bio-oxygenators offer safe and long term gas transfer capabilities heretofore unavailable in cell culture systems. Oxygen is transferred into liquid at controlled rates as dissolved gas molecules rather than as bubbles. Carbon dioxide (waste gas) is exchanged back across the membrane due to partial gas pressure differences and swept down and discharged out the fiber lumen.
Membrane Material/Construction and Technology
AMT’s bio-oxygenator membranes are coated with a skin-like layer of silicone which allows this lung-like transfer to take place continuously for months at a time. Competitive microporous products require frequent replacement of the gas exchange cartridges as their uncoated pores become clogged or saturated with water, fluids or proteins.
AMT’s bio-oxygenators can be used with hollow fiber and other membrane-based bioreactors as well as in-line additions to suspension based cultures. AMT’s unique bio-oxygenators are the most efficient designs yet for low-pressure mass transfer of gases.
Biofiltration
Biofiltration techniques utilizing hollow-fiber technology have become established processes for harvesting, concentrating, separating and purifying biological compounds and cells. Micro-filtration and ultra-filtration cartridges operated in a cross-flow mode are the preferred methods for obtaining high rates of product recovery in a continuous manner.
The fundamental difference between cross-flow filtration and conventional dead-end filtration is the constant sweeping of the liquid across the face of the membrane in cross-flow. This dynamic sweeping across the membrane’s surface largely prevents the formation of a thick layer of separated debris whose build-up causes increasing flux resistance in static dead-end filter cartridges. By reducing the thickness of the retained material on the membrane’s surface, a constant filtrate flux can be maintained over a long period of time with cross-flow filter cartridges.
Applied Membrane Technology’s (AMT) Membranes: Features and Benefits
Unique Structural Features
AMT’s membranes are made from a variety of polyolefin substrates such as polysulfone, polypropylene and polyethylene coated with an integral selective secondary external layer. This secondary layer gives the membrane selective pore sizes and chemistries.
Tailored Surface Chemistries
AMT’s biofiltration membranes have tailored surface chemistries which increase the specificity and uniformity of product recovery.
AMT’s unique membrane chemistry and structure minimize protein adsorption on and within the porous layers. Low protein capture is critical for collection of high valued biological molecules.
Bioreactors
Applied Membrane Technology’s (AMT) series of bioreactors and perfusion reactors represent a family of new advanced fiber-based cartridges
Surface Chemistry
AMT has tailored membrane surface chemistries available for compatibility with differing cell lines. We can make membrane surfaces containing amides, imides, hydroxyl groups and amino groups. Silicone, fluoro-polymer, cellulosic and polypropylene surfaces are also available.
Pore Size Control
AMT can produce tightly controlled pore sizes and distribution using its proprietary coating technology. This is particularly advantageous for culturing valuable immunoglobulins whose size range is over 100KD. AMT’s fibers are design-engineered for cell culture. Pore sizes available include 50KD, 100KD, and 500KD ultra-pores and .01and .2 micron microporous fibers.
Fiber Physical Stability
AMT’s composite fibers are stronger than commonly used dialysis-type fibers. Their pore sizes are essentially locked into place via our manufacturing technique, thus allowing higher feed pressures and operating temperatures without breakage or pore size leakage of valuable bio-components.
Membrane Chemical Stability/Purity
AMT’s bioreactor fibers and modules contain zero extractables and are made from FDA grade materials. The membranes are solvent resistant, as well as resistant to most sterilizing agents.
AMT’s bioreactors represent the most advanced membrane materials for cellular growth and increased production of biologically “active” cell products.