Methods and apparatus for culturing microorganisms are described, including culturing in mixotrophic culture conditions. A bioreactor array with multiple culture vessels with independently controllable inputs is used to culture similar cultures of microorganisms in which at least one parameter differs from other culture vessels in the bioreactor array.

A method for continuous production of algae in a nutrient medium within a reactor while maintaining a constant biomass concentration or turbidity comprises the steps: 1. inoculating of a nutrient medium with algae; 2. mixing until a constant biomass concentration of 0.3 0.8 g/L in the nutrient medium is reached; 3. continuous operation of the algae cultivation in the reactor (1) while maintaining this biomass concentration, comprising the steps of: 3a. removing a portion of the nutrient medium, and 3b. separating the algae thereof, and 3c. adding at least a portion of the nutrient medium removed in step 3a. after algae separation as algae-free, reprocessed nutrient medium, with regulating simultaneously at least one control variable during the continuous operation within the reactor, selected from dilution factor, irradiated light quantity and temperature, in order to maintain the constant biomass concentration.

A modular kit for integration and installation of one or more bioreactors for microalgae cultivation includes: at least one bioreactor for microalgae cultivation, in the form of a vertically arranged transparent tubular column; a supporting structure adapted to integrate and support the base of the at least one bioreactor, and also adapted to internally house a first connection to a system for loading and unloading a cultivation vector fluid into/from the at least one bioreactor, and a second connection to a system for supplying CO2-supplemented air into the at least one bioreactor; multiple modules forming respective frames with internal empty spaces and adapted to be connected to one another to house, in the empty spaces, the at least one bioreactor; the multiple modules being also so shaped as to convey filtered light into the at least one bioreactor.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a bioreactor for growing photoautotrophic organisms is provided. The bioreactor includes a vessel configured to receive the photoautotrophic organisms, the vessel having a longitudinal axis, which a circumferential wall extends around said axis, wherein said circumferential wall is translucent so as to enable light to enter the vessel from the outside for acting on the photoautotrophic organisms, wherein a device for providing an uneven distribution of the light intensity within said vessel along said axis is provided.

The method comprises an automated removal of cells and/or cell colonies from a cell culture whilst executing a first detection step for selecting cells and/or cell colonies with reference to corporeal and/or physical parameters and detecting position data and storing the detected position data of the selected cells and/or cell colonies in a position database.

In order to be able to select special cells and/or cell colonies having special properties from the detected cells and/or cell colonies, at least one second detection step for detecting at least one further parameter of the cells and/or cell colonies is then executed, comparative data from the data of the first and second detection step are created, cells and/or cell colonies are selected with reference to the comparative data and the position data from the position database are transferred to a harvesting unit.

The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to an illumination opto-plate configured to specifically light the wells of a culture plate.

A method for automated, artificial-intelligence-based IVF microtool control includes receiving a command at a controller associated with an artificial intelligence/machine learning system (AI/ML system) and an imaging system used at least in part to operate robotic components of in vitro fertilization (IVF) module. The method includes retrieving at least one IVF microtool assembly (MA) from a tool inventory location using a first robotic mechanism of the robotics system, based at least in part on the command. The method includes retrieving at least one IVF receptacle using a second robotic mechanism of the robotics system based at least in part on the command. The method includes placing the IVF receptacle on a stage within the IVF module based on the command. The method includes positioning the at least one MA in proximity to the IVF receptacle, using the first robotic mechanism, based at least in part on the command.

Provided is a culture apparatus including: a culture vessel; a light source; a first optical sensor; a transmitted light intensity ratio measurement unit. The cell density calculation unit is configured to, when the cell density calculation unit calculates the cell density at a certain timing during the cell culture: correct the intensity of the light exiting from the culture solution in a state in which the cells are suspended and being measured by the first optical sensor at the certain timing through use of the transmitted light intensity ratio measured at the certain timing. Further, the cell density calculation unit is configured to calculate the cell density at the certain timing based on the corrected intensity of the light and an equation of a calibration curve indicating a relationship between a cell density and an intensity of light exiting, the calibration curve being created in advance.

A method for automated, artificial-intelligence-based IVF microtool control includes receiving a command at a controller associated with an artificial intelligence/machine learning system (AI/ML system) and an imaging system used at least in part to operate robotic components of in vitro fertilization (IVF) module. The method includes retrieving at least one IVF microtool assembly (MA) from a tool inventory location using a first robotic mechanism of the robotics system, based at least in part on the command. The method includes retrieving at least one IVF receptacle using a second robotic mechanism of the robotics system based at least in part on the command. The method includes placing the IVF receptacle on a stage within the IVF module based on the command. The method includes positioning the at least one MA in proximity to the IVF receptacle, using the first robotic mechanism, based at least in part on the command.

An environment controlled chamber is provided. The environment controlled chamber includes an insulated cabinet, a refrigeration system adapted for cooling the insulated cabinet, a control system, a plurality of lighting elements for providing light within a compartment of the insulated cabinet, and a plurality of infrared elements for providing heating within the insulated cabinet. The control system is configured to control the refrigeration system and the lighting elements to provide environmental conditions according to user settings for promoting photosynthetic tissue culture growth. The control system is configured to control the plurality of infrared lighting elements to selectively apply heating to assist with preventing condensation on petri dishes stored within the insulated cabinet.