Accelerating the manufacturing of hiPSC-derived hepatocytes for cell therapy applications

Hepatocyte-like cells derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-HLCs) are expected to have important roles in drug screening and regenerative medicine applications. However, hiPSC-HLCs are difficult to produce on a large-scale to obtain relevant numbers required for such applications.

In this webinar, Dr Margarida Serra will describe a study that demonstrates the potential of implementing a novel integrated 3D aggregate culture strategy, using stirred-tank bioreactors (STB), for the scalable production of hiPSC-HLCs.

Webinar outline

• Culture of hiPSCs as three-dimensional (3D) aggregates in stirred-tank bioreactors (STB) operated in perfusion.
• Control of dissolved oxygen concentration and dilution rate along the process and integration of hepatic differentiation after 5 days, in sequential steps for up to 28 days.
• Evaluation of the expression of hepatic markers and albumin production after differentiation of hiPSC 3D aggregates to hiPSC-HLCs.
• Assessment of functional characteristics of hiPSC-HLCs, including glycogen storage and drug metabolization capacity, compared to primary hepatocytes.
• Demonstration for the first time the potential of using dielectric spectroscopy to monitor hiPSC expansion and differentiation in STB.

About the speaker

Dr Margarida Serra
Head of Stem Cell Bioengineering Laboratory

Dr Margarida Serra currently heads the Stem Cell Bioengineering Laboratory at the Animal Cell Technology Unit of iBET. Current research in her group is driven by the vision to streamline robust manufacturing of cell therapy products with improved functionality, to support phase I/II clinical trials. Dr Serra’s research at iBET has been focused on the development of novel cell culturing strategies that recreate environmental conditions optimal for the growth and differentiation/maturation of human stem cells. Aiming at accelerating the translation of cell therapy products into the clinic, she has been applying multi-parametric techniques including omics technologies as complementary analytical tools to support bioprocess optimization and cell potency assessment. She is a Biological Engineering graduate from the Instituto Superior Técnico and holds a PhD in Engineering and Technology Sciences (2011), from Universidade NOVA de Lisboa.