[SCAN] Towards improved cell culture-based therapies through systems biotechnology

Scan Seminar

Title: Towards improved cell culture-based therapies through systems biotechnology

Speaker: Ana Teixeira

From: Animal Cell Technology Unit, ITQB

Abstract:

Animal cell-based technology is increasingly exploited to address unmet medical needs. Owing to the lengthy and expensive regulatory path, healthcare spending concerns and looming patent expirations, optimized cell culture processes are a cornerstone in the biopharmaceutical industry’s reform. More efficient bioproduction requires deeper understanding of cellular metabolism and its regulation. We have been combining experimental and computational tools for quantitative dissection of metabolic flux distributions in relevant biological systems, such as animal cell lines used for protein and viral vector production, and stem cells expansion and targeted differentiation. Systematic approaches, integrating metabolomic profiling, carbon labeling experiments and stoichiometric models are undertaken to investigate culture conditions that promote optimal cell states. The ultimate goal is to generate comprehensive metabolic knowledge and apply it for rational control of culture behavior and re wiring cells to grow and differentiate or produce the desired biopharmaceuticals with maximal efficiency.