The choice of the most effective manner in which to operate an immobilized cell system is both complicated and, to some extent, a matter of guesswork. There is increasing awareness of the factors affecting reactor choice, and present work is aimed at making reactor performance more predictable.

the abilities of silybum marianum cell culture to biotransform benzaldehyde to benzyl alcohol in three culture systems were compared. callus cultures of silybum marianum were established from seedlings, and healthy suspensions and immobilized cultures grown on the murashige and skoog medium. s. marianum cells were immobilized in both agar beads and fiber cotton matrixes. benzaldehyde was fed to...

In order to investigate the physiological effect of transfected cell immobilization in calcium alginate gels, we immobilized electroporated Vero cells in gels shaped either as spherical beads or as thin membrane layers. In addition, we investigated whether serum addition had a positive effect on cell proliferation and viability in either gel configuration. The gels were stored for four weeks in...

The importance of mechanical activity in the regulation of muscle progenitors during chick development has not been investigated. We show that immobilization decreases NOTCH activity and mimics a NOTCH loss-of-function phenotype, a reduction in the number of muscle progenitors and increased differentiation. Ligand-induced NOTCH activation prevents the reduction of muscle progenitors and the inc...

It has been recognized that a three-dimensional cell invasive scaffold that provides both topographical and chemical cues is desirable in regenerative tissue engineering to encourage cell attachment, migration, regrowth and ultimately tissue repair. Carbohydrate hydrogels are attractive for such applications because they are generally biocompatible and able to match the mechanical properties of...

T cell activation requires contact with APCs. We used optical techniques to demonstrate T cell polarity on the basis of shape, motility, and localized sensitivity to antigen. An intracellular Ca2+ clamp showed that T cell shape and motility are extremely sensitive to changes in [Ca2+]i (Kd = 200 nM), with immobilization and rounding occurring via a calcineurin-independent pathway. Ca2+ dependen...

Advancements in animal models and cell culture techniques have been invaluable in the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms that regulate muscle atrophy. However, few studies have examined muscle atrophy in humans using modern experimental techniques. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in global gene transcription during immobilization-induced muscle atrophy in humans and then e...

industrial applications. Advantages of immobilized cell technology include continuous utilization, retention of plasmid-bearing cells, prevention of interfacial inactivation, stimulation of production and excretion of secondary metabolites, and protection against turbulent environment (Melzoch et al., 1994; Nath and Chand, 1996; Tramper, 1990). Potential applications of immobilized cell technol...

Morris, R. Tyler, Espen E. Spangenburg, and Frank W. Booth. Responsiveness of cell signaling pathways during the failed 15-day regrowth of aged skeletal muscle. J Appl Physiol 96: 398–404, 2004. First published September 26, 2003; 10.1152/japplphysiol.00454.2003.— Various cellular signaling pathways, such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, calcineurin, Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activa...