ABSTRACT
Animal cell culture technology has always played a major role in the development of virology. Significant progress in the propagation of viruses and the consequent development of viral vaccines were only made possible after the 1950s, upon the establishment of cell culture technology. Animal cell culture gradually substituted live animals in the preparation of viral antigens used in vaccination, such as the vaccines against smallpox and rabies. At the same time, the production of viral antigens in cell cultures led to considerable progress in bioprocesses technology. Cell culture bioprocesses are now well established in bioreactors of up to 12 000 L. Recent developments in virology and cell culture technology have
allowed research and development laboratories to engage in molecular manipulation of viruses and cells for bioprocess production of viral gene products. Examples are the establishment of recombinant viral vectors for expression in animal cells that have significant potential in producing recombining vaccines and treatment by gene therapy. Thus, a recombinant vaccine against hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been developed and several others are in the final phases of clinical trials. This chapter concerns the development of cell culture technology for
viral vaccine production, which is related to: (a) a need for prophylaxis and/or treatment of the most important viral diseases, such as AIDS, hepatitis C, influenza, and papillomavirus; (b) the establishment of current molecular technologies, and (c) a reduction in risk factors for the manipulation of live viral particles. Cell culture technology for the production of viral products is focused
on establishing protocols for recombinant products of low risk to prevent viral diseases. In many countries, viruses are increasingly important as biological agents for the control of agricultural pests (see Chapter 19).
