Cell nutrition

Publisher Summary This chapter summarizes the role of mass transport in providing nutrients to the cells. It describes how mathematical modeling can enhance the understanding of nutrient limitation in tissue engineering. The nutrient requirements of the cells are explained and the components of the cell culture medium are discussed. Specific attention is paid to how the medium composition can regulate cellular proliferation and differentiation. Secondly, the underlying theory describing the development of nutrient limitation and the basics of mass transfer are described. Using some practical examples, the development of nutrient gradients within tissue-engineered constructs is also explained. Finally, possible approaches to decrease nutrient limitation will be described. These include increasing the external mass transport by convective mixing of culture medium around the constructs, increasing the internal mass transfer by medium perfusion through cultured tissues in vitro, and vascularization of the cultured tissues in vivo .