In-Bag Cell Separation and Wilson Wolf G-Rex® Bioreactor Compatibility

Updated on Nov 4, 2025 Share Category: BACS^TM Microbubble Technology and Workflow

In this video, Akadeum Life Sciences Sr. Field Application Scientist Crisha Christensen demonstrates how to combine Akadeum’s Human T Cell Leukopak Isolation Kit – GMP with the Wilson Wolf G-Rex® bioreactor to create a seamless, closed-system workflow—from isolation to expansion. The video highlights how easy it is to transition isolated T cells directly from the processing bag into a G-Rex bioreactor, maintaining cell quality, sterility, and GMP compliance every step of the way.

From Isolation to Expansion—All in One System

The process begins with Akadeum’s buoyancy-based GMP microbubble separation, which isolates high-purity CD3+ T cells from leukopak material. Using the GMP  antibody cocktail and GMP BACS™ streptavidin microbubbles, unwanted cells are bound and floated to the top of the bag. Untouched, desired T cells settle at the bottom, ready for transfer to the Wilson Wolf G-Rex© bioreactor.

Because no magnets or external instruments are required, the workflow is easily performed within a closed, sterile processing bag. Once the separation is complete, the enriched T cell fraction can be transferred directly into a Wilson Wolf G-Rex bioreactor—without additional washing or manipulation steps.

This “bag-to-bioreactor” approach maintains cell viability and cell health, reduces contamination risk, and supports scalability from research to clinical manufacturing environments.

Why the G-Rex Bioreactor is a Natural Fit

Wilson Wolf G-Rex bioreactors are designed for efficient gas exchange and nutrient delivery, enabling high-density cell expansion with minimal media exchanges. Pairing it with Akadeum’s microbubble technology creates a synergistic workflow: cells can be isolated, activated, and expanded within a fully closed system, reducing open handling and manual transfers that could compromise sterility, cell health or consistency.

This integration also supports the ScaleReady G-Rex Grant Program. Akadeum has partnered with ScaleReady to support grant recipients. By leveraging both platforms, users gain a simple and robust path from raw leukopak to large-scale T cell isolation and expansion—ideal for cell therapy manufacturing, CAR T workflows, or academic translational research, both in centralized and decentralized manufacturing models.

What’s in the Kit

Each GMP-grade Human T Cell Leukopak Isolation Kit includes:

• BACS™ Streptavidin Microbubbles – GMP
• Negative selection Human T Cell Leukopak Isolation Biotin  Antibody Cocktail – GMP
• Separation Buffer – GMP

To complete the workflow, users will also need a few standard consumables and equipment that are typically found in most labs and manufacturing facilities: a standard cell processing (apheresis) bag, an end-over-end rotator, and a tube welder. The entire workflow can be performed as a closed system with tube welding, maintaining sterility and compliance with GMP standards.

Key Advantages Highlighted in the Video

1. Closed-system capability. The entire workflow remains sealed, from leukopak to G-Rex bioreactor, minimizing contamination risk and simplifying processes.
2. Instrument-free cell isolation. No columns, magnets, or specialized hardware required—just microbubbles and gravity.
3. Faster turnaround. Isolation and transfer can be completed in less than 60 minutes, streamlining manufacturing and reducing cell handling time from isolation to expansion, a known contributor to healthier cells.
4. Superior cell health. Viability remains above 95%, preserving function for downstream activation or gene-editing applications and contributing to more potent cells with increased killing potential.

Together, these benefits make Akadeum’s microbubble platform a powerful component of G-Rex-based workflows, contributing to reproducibility and scalability.

Integrating into Your Cell Manufacturing Process

Once transferred into the G-Rex, T cells can be activated and expanded under optimized conditions for cell therapy manufacturing. Directly connecting the T cell-containing bag to the G-Rex bioreactor via sterile tube welding maintains sterility and accelerates workflow time. Gentle cell separation results in more viable cells, which in turn expand faster and can reduce overall expansion time, shortening cell therapy workflows by days.

This integration simplifies existing GMP workflows, reduces equipment needs, shortens labor hours and GMP suite time and footprint,  and supports decentralized manufacturing environments. Whether you’re scaling for CAR T production, translational research, or clinical manufacturing, the Human T Cell Leukopak Isolation in-bag followed by G-Rex integration drives improved therapeutic outcomes with healthier, more viable cells in shorter time.

To see complete data and performance details, visit the G-Rex Workflow Integration Page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer directly from the leukopak to the G-Rex?
Yes. After isolation, enriched CD3+ T cells can be directly transferred into the G-Rex bioreactor for activation and expansion via sterile tube welding.

Does this workflow require specialized instruments?
No. The process is fully manual and closed-system compatible—no magnets, pumps, or columns are needed. The WilsonWolf G-Rex pump may be utilized to remove cells from the bioreactor, if desired.

Is Akadem part of the G-Rex Program?
Yes. Akadeum has partnered with Wilson Wolf through the ScaleReady G-Rex Grant Program to provide discounted kits and workflow guidance for grant recipients.

What applications is this setup ideal for?
This workflow supports the development of T cell therapy, CAR T manufacturing, and translational research that requires high-viability cells in a  GMP-compliant workflow.

Ready to Learn More?

Watch the video above to see Akadeum’s bag-to-bioreactor protocol in action, or visit the G-Rex integration page for in-depth performance data and protocol guidance. You can also explore integration with other industry-standard platforms.

For custom GMP protocols or workflow consultation, request an on-site demo and evaluation with our technical team.