Semi-Automated Production of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle have developed a semi-automated process for separating and expanding hematopoietic stem cells using a benchtop device by the patient’s bedside. According to this piece: “The whole automated process includes initial preparation of the blood cell product for target cell separation, separation of the target cells for genetic modification and the genetic modification step. For blood stem cells this process takes less than 36 hours. At the end of the process, the genetically modified cells are prepared for infusion and transferred to an infusion bag on the tubing set. Once the process is completed, the user is notified and removes the infusion bag containing the genetically modified cells from the device for transport back to the patient. The user can then dismount the tubing set and any leftover components and dispose of them. The device is immediately ready for the next patient product.” But for extracting the initial specimen, the process would be completely automated. MORE
Image Credit: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and MedGadget.com