Fully Automated Micro-Bioreactor

The aim of this project is to develop a proof-of-concept for modular microbioreactor system especially for Biotech Industry by tackling mechatronic, electronic and bioprocess engineering challenges.
Categories
Equipment and Supplies
Project status
100% Completed

Industry Need

Biopharmaceutical industries every year face a higher demand to speed up the cell line and process development further and obtain robust scalable process conditions. The development of cell- and product-specific processes is a big challenge for process engineers and this challenge requires high-throughput (HTP) tools to screen and optimize the process conditions in a fast way to meet the project timelines and reduce the cost of production. To achieve the process development in HTP microbioreactors successfully, key characteristics of the large scale stirred-tank bioreactors such as agitation, temperature, DO and pH control should be mimicked to ensure a successful scale-down process.

Solution

The project aims to develop a modular microbioreactor system especially for Biotech Industry by tackling mechatronic, electronic and bioprocess engineering challenges. The CTQ finalization and MVP validation studies will result in a finely tuned Alpha prototype design.

Outputs/Deliverables

The system integration and bio-validation could not be completed

Major sub-systems are completed by designing electronic boards, mechanical

components, custom embedded software and high-level user interface software.

These sub-systems are individually verified

Although still significant amount of work to be done, the initial outcomes are supporting the

feasibility of financially more affordable, modular, fully automated micro-bioreactors.

Impacts

Low cost, highly modular automated micro bioreactor for cultivation of a wide range of cells.

Reduce CAPEX and OPEX as well as reduced biopharmaceutical development timelines.

Publications

Additional Project Information (Members Only)

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Project Lead

ProMechSys-RLP, LLC

ProMechSys-RLP, LLC

Participating Organizations

Genentech, Inc.

Genentech, Inc.

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University

MilliporeSigma/EMD Serono

MilliporeSigma/EMD Serono