On-line Measurements and Control of Viable Cell Density in Cell Culture Manufacturing Processes using Radio-frequency Impedance.

In this work, radio-frequency (RF) impedance is reviewed as a method for monitoring and controlling cell culture manufacturing processes. It is clear from the many publications cited that RF Impedance is regarded as an accurate and reliable method for measuring the live cell bio-volume both on-line and off-line and the technology is also sutable for animal cells in suspension, attached to micro-carriers or immobilized in fixed beds. In cGMP production, RF Impedance is being used in three main areas. Firstly, it is being used as a control instrument for maintaining consistent perfusion culture allowing the bioreactor to operate under optimum conditions for maximum production of recombinant proteins. In the second application it has not replaced traditional off-line live cell counting techniques but it is being used as an additional monitoring tool to check product conformance. Finally, RF Impedance is being used to monitor the concentration of live cells immobilized on micro-carriers or packed beds in cGMP processes where traditional off-line live cell counting methods are inaccurate or impossible to perform.