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Abstract
Interaction of cells with polymer networks in nanostructured devices as alginate beads for cell immobilization are considered. Influence of process parameters as oxygen concentration inside a bead on changes of alginate material structure is experimentally investigated. Significant swelling of alginate beads during process is observed and ascribed to combined action of chemical components in the reactor and of growing cells, causing expansion of beads and degradation of their networks. The culture of mouse/mouse hybridoma cells secreting a monoclonal antibody (IgG) specific to human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) was used. A kinetic model of catalytic alginate degradation is developed for controlling the process. The model provides possibilities to analyze conditions for suppressing large swelling and influence of oxidative agents. Moreover, it provides some deeper insights into mechanism of polymer network–cell interactions and dynamics during the process. It is based on separation of contributions of reactants in the system from contributions of cells to degradation of the network and in that way to effective swelling of the bead.