Bioreactors

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.

When applying a fed-batch strategy, the advantages  are clear. Due to the addition of fresh nutrients, more biomass and product can be produced during exponential phase.  Furthermore, by using modern monitoring and controlling sensor systems, metabolic changes during cultivation can be detected which help to gain more process knowledge. To get out the most of your fed-batch process, we have summarized some basic hints to follow. Now nothing can stand in the way of a successful cultivation.

Getting started with cell culture can seem like an overwhelming step: cells are sensitive to shear stress, have a high risk of contamination and are very demanding concerning the right choice of process parameters. Check our blog post for all you need to start shaking or running your bioreactor with mammalian cells, insect cells and plant cells.

What is one of the worst things that could go wrong in your laboratory? Ask anyone working to a deadline in a bioprocess laboratory and a likely answer would be contamination of their cultures. Contamination can be hard to trace back to a source and difficult to remove if it is present in your working environment. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can follow to minimise the chances of this happening to you.

Continuous culture is best explained by discussing the basic components of the process. The theory is well known and simple to understand: Medium is both added and removed throughout much of the fermentation in order to keep cell numbers in balance. Actual execution can be difficult for starters, as there are more pumps, tubes and considerations than a simple batch fermentation.