Efficient cell cultivation relies on maintaining an optimal supply of oxygen and nutrients, as well as on removing inhibiting metabolic waste products efficiently. These factors limit the maximum cell density obtainable from standard, homogeneous cell culture techniques which are consequently poor at achieving high expression levels of proteins.

The Two-Compartment Bioreactor CELLine is designed to overcome such limitations. The innovative CELLine technology separates the bioreactor into a medium and cell compartment by means of a 10 kDa semi-permeable membrane. This membrane allows a continuous diffusion of nutrients into the cell compartment with a concurrent removal of any inhibitory waste product. The individual accessibility of the compartments allows to supply cells with fresh medium without mechanically interfering with the culture.

Efficient gas transfer is ensured by a silicone membrane which forms the cell compartment base. This membrane provides an optimal oxygen supply and control of carbon dioxide levels by providing a short diffusion pathway to the cell compartment. All together, the technology built into CELLine allows simulating quasi in vivo cultivation conditions leading to high cell densities.