Hamilton Unveils BioLevitator* Integrated Benchtop Cell Culture System at LabAutomation 2009

First Benchtop System Delivers High Cell Yield From Small Footprint

Hamilton Company, world leader in fluid measurement previewed the new BioLevitator 3-D Cell Culture System at the 2009 LabAutomation meeting in Palm Springs. Developed in collaboration with Global Cell Solutions, the BioLevitator is the first benchtop 3-D cell culture system on the market, delivering significant productivity gains to researchers in drug discovery and development, therapeutics and regenerative medicine. The BioLevitator brings the engineering and automation expertise of Hamilton together with Global Cell Solutions’ unique approach to cell culture for a scalable and automated system that reduces costs while improving the consistency and relevance of cultured cells.

The BioLevitator eliminates traditional peripheral cell culture instruments, such as incubators and centrifuges, and minimizes manual handling. Each of the BioLevitator’s four hydrophobic, PTFE-filtered 50 mL cell culture tubes can produce cell growth equivalent to up to ten T75 flasks, depending on the cell line. The system features a user-friendly touch screen interface with real-time monitoring and control of environmental temperature and CO2 levels.

The BioLevitator utilizes the Global Eukaryotic Microcarrier (GEM*) technology from Global Cell Solutions. The GEM provides an optically clear and non-autofluorescent pipettable substrate for adherent cell lines. The GEMs contain silica-coated iron particles that facilitate suspension of the cells without impellers. The particles’ magnetic properties also enable the pelleting of cells for media changes. Custom protein coatings, including basement membrane, are available to facilitate growth of difficult cell lines and the GEM’s alginate core inhibits ice crystals during cryopreservation, ensuring high survivability and cell function.

“The use of cell culture is expanding rapidly, with increasing research focused on primary and stem cell lines,” explained Jason March, dealer product business unit manager for Hamilton. “The BioLevitator brings high-density cell culture to the bench top, with the option to scale up to a fully automated robotic platform.”