Cultivation of fall armyworm ovary cells in simulated microgravity

Summary A methodology is presented to culture Fall Armyworm Ovary cells in simulated microgravity using a novel bioreactor developed by NASA, the High-Aspect Ratio Vessel. In this vessel, the growth and metabolic profile for these insect cells were profoundly different than those obtained in shaker-flask culture. Specifically, stationary phase in the NASA vessel was extended from 24 h to at least 7 d while cell concentration and viability remained in excess of 1 × 10⁷ viable cells/ml and 90%, respectively. Measurements of glucose utilization, lactate production, ammonia production, and pH change indicate that simulated microgravity had a twofold effect on cell metabolism. Fewer nutrients were consumed and fewer wastes were produced in stationary phase by as much as a factor of 4 over that achieved in shaker culture. Those nutrients that were consumed in the NASA vessel were directed along different metabolic pathways as evidenced by an extreme shift in glucose utilization from consumption to production in lag phase and a decrease in yield coefficients by one half in stationary phase. These changes reflect a reduction in hydrodynamic forces from over 1 dyne/cm² in shaker culture to under 0.5 dyne/cm² in the NASA vessel. These results suggest that cultivation of insect cells in simulated microgravity may reduce production costs of cell-derived biologicals by extending production time and reducing medium requirements.