Author Archives: Tony Allman

Supply of a substrate is a must for any bioprocess, even if it is just mineral salts, light and CO₂ for algae. Usually, it is in the form of a sugar, which is either provided just at the start of a process or added over time. The choice of which method to use will depend on the organism, application and final goal.

Optimizing of a bioprocess for protein production is more complex than for simple increase in biomass. Over-production of biomass and normal cell metabolism may limit the amount of cellular resources directed towards making the protein of interest. This short overview lists some of the key points to take into consideration for the best yield of proteins.

Bioreactor manufacturers and users make massive efforts to create a culture environment free from contamination. Despite all this work, sometimes things go wrong. This blog post will cover some of the key reasons for contamination getting in and how to deal with it quickly. 

How much a bioreactor costs is a critical factor to potential buyers. However, there is no generalized answer to this, without some definitions in the form of a User Requirement Specification (URS). This defines what you need in detail to meet specific goals and the criteria for success. These factors must be decided before you can look for possible solutions.

The most important bioreactor for industrial applications is the conventional stirred tank reactor (STR), due to its high flexibility and low operating costs. Bioreactor purchases are often subjected to more scrutiny and debate than many other items of equipment of similar complexity and cost. The choice and sheer number of different systems can seem daunting. This article throws light upon the 4 major types of STR bioreactors used in bioprocess technology.

Design concept sketch by Meyer-Hayoz Design Engineering.

Bioprocesses are complex. Add in the details of the applications, equipment and organisms and it becomes overwhelming. The use of a template based on the periodic table of the elements has been used in many contexts (even for types of sandwiches). A similar chart for bioprocesses groups and organizes this information in an understandable way.