Student Profile

Qasim Rafiq

Qasim Rafiq

Developing a standardised manufacturing process for the clinical-scale production of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs)

PhD Supervisor(s): Christopher J Hewitt, Karen Coopman, Alvin W Nienow, Christian van den Bos

Loughborough Univerrsity

Contact Email:q.a.rafiq@lboro.ac.uk

Undergraduate Degree:MEng Biochemical Engineering (University College London)
                   
PhD Summary

My PhD investigated the development of manufacturing processes for the industrial-scale production of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) for cell-based therapies. This included Identifying key process parameters and demonstrated the culture of hMSCs on microcarriers in a 5 L stirred-tank bioreactor whilst also developing a novel method for the litre-scale harvest of hMSCs from microcarriers post-bioreactor expansion.

As part of my sponsorship by Lonza Cologne AG, I was involved in a 1 month placement within the Lonza Innovation for Future Technology group (Cologne, Germany) where I gained valuable insight into cell therapy manufacture challenges as well as research project conception and implementation in a commercial environment.

Skills & Techniques 

  • Monolayer and microcarrier cell culture in spinner flasks and stirred-tank bioreactors
  • Flow cytometry
  • Fluorescence microscopy
  • hMSC differentiation analyses

 

Publications, Presentations and Awards

Publications

  • Rafiq QA, Coopman K, Nienow AW, Hewitt CJ. 2013. A quantitative approach for understanding small-scale human mesenchymal stem cell culture - implications for large-scale bioprocess development. Biotechnology Journal 8 459-471.
  • Rafiq QA, Coopman K, Hewitt CJ. 2013. Scale-up of human mesenchymal stem cell culture: current technologies and future challenges. Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering 2 8-16.
  • Rafiq QA, Brosnan KM, Coopman K, Nienow AW, Hewitt CJ. 2013. Culture of human mesenchymal stem cells on microcarriers in a 5 L stirred-tank bioreactor.  Biotechnology Letters
  • Rafiq QA Coopman K., Nienow AW, & Hewitt CJ Characterisation of the optimal conditions for human mesenchymal stem cell microcarrier culture. (In preparation)
  • Rafiq QA Coopman K., Nienow AW, & Hewitt CJ Harvesting of human mesenchymal stem cells from large-scale microcarrier culture (In preparation)
  • Chippendale TWE, Coopman K, Rafiq Q, Hewitt CJ & El-Haj AJ. 2011. Isolation of mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow aspirate. In: Young, M. ed. Comprehensive Biotechnology. Elsevier. 115-123

Awards

  • Best Presentation CIRP UK award at the EPSRC UK Manufacturing the Future Conference 2012
  • Best Oral Presentation at the LU Research School of Health and Life Sciences Conference 2012
  • Biotechnology Young Entrepreneur Scheme (YES) Best Presenter award at the 2011 Finals of Biotechnology YES
  • Winner at the Regional Biotechnology YES 2011 Competition (Team award)
  • Second Place Winner of the ESACT-UK 2010 Best Poster Award
  • Recipient of three student bursaries (ESACT-UK 2010, IChemE Biochemical Engineering Subject Group, BioProcess UK 2012) to attend national and international conferences

Current Employment

Awarded a 24 month ETERM Research Fellowship following a competitive application process to conduct a translational, multi-disciplinary research programme involved in the area of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

← View all student profiles