Fig. 5.

Direct impacts of fluid flow in cell culture. Fluid flow aids with healthy growth of cells through a variety of mechanisms. The supply of fresh nutrients, as well as the removal of metabolic waste can reduce nutritional stress on the cells. A reduction of the unstirred layer thickness and convective mixing aid with this process whilst also being useful for research such as transport studies. Shear stress presented to the cell surfaces creates mechanical signals which the cells respond to and can aid with maintaining physiological function however can have a detrimental effect at supraphysiological levels.