Xeno-Free T Cell Expansion in PBS Mini Vertical-Wheel® Bioreactor Using CellGenix® Reagents

This application note evaluates expansion of human T cells in a PBS Mini Vertical-Wheel bioreactor using CellGenix GMP serum-free, xeno-free T-cell medium supplemented with IL-7 and IL-15. The study compares T-cell growth, viability, phenotype, and expansion performance across different agitation rates and seeding densities relative to G-Rex culture systems. Results demonstrated that low agitation rates supported the highest viable cell yields and maintained viabilities above 85%, while excessive rotation reduced expansion performance. Expanded cells achieved substantial fold expansion, high cell densities, and favorable CD4+ and CD8+ central memory phenotypes with low expression of exhaustion markers. An additional benefit observed was automatic removal and immobilization of magnetic activation beads by the bioreactor’s magnetic drive system, reducing process complexity. The document demonstrates the suitability of PBS Mini bioreactors for scalable, xeno-free T-cell manufacturing workflows using GMP-compliant ancillary reagents.