Cell culture media extending materials and methods

Abstract

This disclosure provides a cell culture media extending material capable of releasing nutrients into the cell culture environment slowly over time. In embodiments, this material is a part of a cell culture vessel. In embodiments, the material is a coating or a film on a surface of a cell culture material. In additional embodiments, the material is a surface upon which cells are cultured, such as a cell culture vessel or a microcarrier.

1 . A cell culture vessel having a surface comprising a cell culture media extending material. 
     
     
         2 . The cell culture vessel of  claim 1  wherein the cell culture media extending material comprises a polymer comprising at least one sequestered nutrient. 
     
     
         3 . The cell culture vessel of  claim 1  wherein the cell culture media extending material comprises a hygroscopic polymer and at least one nutrient. 
     
     
         4 . The cell culture vessel of  claim 3  wherein the hygroscopic polymer comprises EVA. 
     
     
         5 . The cell culture vessel of  claim 1  wherein the cell culture media extending material comprises at least one coating. 
     
     
         6 . The cell culture vessel of  claim 1  wherein the cell culture media extending material comprises a film. 
     
     
         7 . The cell culture vessel of  claim 1  wherein the vessel comprises at least one cell culture compartment, each cell culture compartment comprising a bed, a ceiling and at least one wall. 
     
     
         8 . The cell culture vessel of  claim 7  wherein the bed comprises the cell culture media extending material. 
     
     
         9 . The cell culture vessel of  claim 7  wherein the ceiling comprises the cell culture media extending material. 
     
     
         10 . The cell culture vessel of  claim 7  wherein the at least one wall comprises the cell culture media extending material. 
     
     
         11 . The cell culture vessel of  claim 7  wherein at least two of the bed, the ceiling and the at least one wall comprise the cell culture media extending material. 
     
     
         12 . A cell culture media extending material comprising a hygroscopic polymer and at least one nutrient. 
     
     
         13 . The cell culture media extending material of  claim 12  wherein the material forms part of a cell culture vessel. 
     
     
         14 . The cell culture media extending material of  claim 12  wherein the material forms at least a part of a microcarrier. 
     
     
         15 . The cell culture media extending material of  claim 12  wherein the hygroscopic polymer comprises EVA. 
     
     
         16 . The cell culture media extending material of  claim 12  wherein the at least one nutrient comprises glucose. 
     
     
         17 . The cell culture media extending material of  claim 12  wherein the at least one nutrient comprises glutamine. 
     
     
         18 . The cell culture media extending material of  claim 12  wherein the material is a film. 
     
     
         19 . The cell culture media extending material of  claim 13  wherein the material is a film and wherein the film is on the ceiling of a cell culture chamber. 
     
     
         20 . A method of culturing cells comprising:
 (a) introducing cells into a cell culture chamber comprising a cell culture media extending material, wherein the cell culture media extending material comprises a hygroscopic polymer comprising at least one sequestered nutrient;   (b) incubating the cells in the cell culture chamber in the presence of media having an L-glutamine concentration less than 2 mM.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the L-glutamine concentration is between 0 and 1.5 mM. 
     
     
         22 . The cell culture vessel of  claim 1  comprising:
 at least one cell culture compartment; and 
 media with an L-glutamine concentration less than 2 mM within the at least one cell culture compartment. 
 
     
     
         23 . The cell culture vessel of  claim 22 , wherein the L-glutamine concentration is between 0 and 1.5 mM.