A method for the continuous flow synthesis of (R)-4-halo-3-hydroxy-butyrate using a micro-reaction system. The micro-reaction system includes a micro-mixer, a certain number of micro-reaction units that are successively connected in series, a pH regulating system and a back pressure valve. The micro-reaction unit is composed of a micro-channel reactor and a pH regulator that are sequentially connected with each other. A substrate solution containing halogenated acetoacetate and a biocatalyst solution are simultaneously pumped into the micro-reaction system to enable continuous flow biocatalytic asymmetric reduction reaction of the halogenated acetoacetate to obtain the target product (R)-4-halo-3-hydroxy-butyrate.

A fermenter can have at least one hollow fluid conduit disposed at least partially within a vessel. An external circumference of the hollow fluid conduit and an interior circumference of the vessel can define a downward flow path through which a multi-phase mixture including a liquid media and compressed gas substrate bubbles flows. An interior circumference of the hollow fluid conduit can defined an upward flow path which is in fluid communication with the downward flow path. The multi-phase liquid can flow through the upward flow path and exit the fermenter. Cooling may be provided in the hollow fluid conduit or the vessel. One or more backpressor generators can be used to maintain a backpressure on the fermenter. One or more fluid movers can be used to variously create an induced and/or forced flow in the downward and upward flow paths.

Systems and methods are provided for growing algae and/or other microorganisms in a controlled environment while reducing or minimizing the amount of energy required for maintaining desired conditions in the growth medium. The systems can be based on a photobioreactor having a “tube-in-tube structure”, where an outer cylindrical tube contains a heat regulation fluid that surrounds one or more inner cylinders that contain microorganisms in growth media. The heat regulation fluid in the outer cylinder, as well as the outer cylinder itself, can assist with regulating the temperature of the growth media in the inner cylinder(s).

Reactors, systems and processes for the production of biomass by culturing microorganisms in aqueous liquid culture medium circulating inner loop reactor which utilize nonvertical pressure reduction zones are described. Recovery and processing of the culture microorganisms to obtain products, such as proteins or hydrocarbons is described.

A composition of microorganisms, comprising photoautotrophic microorganisms (16) which produce oxygen by photosynthetic water oxidation chemoheterotrophic microorganisms (17) which respire oxygen, wherein the photoautotrophic microorganisms (16) and the chemoheterotrophic microorganisms (17) are comprised in a biofilm (13), the biofilm further comprising components (15) which were secreted by the photoautotrophic microorganisms (16) and/or the chemoheterotrophic microorganisms (17),
and a reactor (1), a method for forming a biofilm, and a method for biocatalytic conversion employing such composition.

A cell culture apparatus is provided with: a cell culture bag that is formed of a tubular membrane material that can accommodate cells and a culture medium therein and that has openings at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and that forms a flow passage for the culture medium from one opening toward the other opening in the longitudinal direction of the tubular membrane material; a solution supply portion that is connected to the one opening and that supplies a solution to the inside of the cell culture bag; and a solution discharge portion that is connected to the other opening and that discharges the solution from the inside of the cell culture bag.

An isolator system 1 includes: a main isolator 3 in which an aseptic state is maintained and which is for performing an aseptic operation; an incubator 4 in which the aseptic state is maintained and which is connected to the main isolator 3 and is for culturing cells and the like; decontamination means 35 for decontaminating the inside of the main isolator 3; and a decontamination station 9 that decontaminates the inside of the incubator 4. The isolator system 1 further includes a blocking member 30 for sealing a connection port 13 from the outside, the port being provided in the main isolator 3 and being for connection with the incubator 4. When the inside of the main isolator 3 is decontaminated, the connection port 13 is sealed from the outside with the blocking member 30. The isolator system that can efficiently decontaminate the main isolator and the subisolator connected to this main isolator can be provided.

Methods and materials for making complex, living, vascularized tissues for organ and tissue replacement, especially complex and/or thick, structures, such as liver tissue is provided. Tissue lamina is made in a system comprising an apparatus having (a) a first mold or polymer scaffold, a semi-permeable membrane, and a second mold or polymer scaffold, wherein the semi-permeable membrane is disposed between the first and second molds or polymer scaffolds, wherein the first and second molds or polymer scaffolds have means defining microchannels positioned toward the semi-permeable membrane, wherein the first and second molds or polymer scaffolds are fastened together; and (b) animal cells. Methods for producing complex, three-dimensional tissues or organs from tissue lamina are also provided.

In the present invention, a photobioreactor and process for producing and harvesting microalgae involves a vessel for cultivating microalgae that is at least partially transparent to admit light into the vessel. At least a portion of the transparent part of the vessel is coated with a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer. The TCO layer is transparent to visible light necessary for algae growth, but is opaque to infrared light thereby reducing thermal heating load in the photobioreactor. The TCO layer also acts as an electrode, which when combined with a counter-electrode can provide a potential difference across at least a portion of the interior of the vessel between the TCO layer and the counter-electrode. The electrode arrangement can be utilized in an electrochemical process (e.g. electrodeposition and/or electroflotation) to dewater and harvest the microalgae in the same apparatus as the microalgae was cultivated.

An apparatus for culturing cells of the present disclosure includes: a cabinet that has a main surface and a side surface, the main surface having a window; a main surface aspiration port disposed at the main surface of the cabinet; and a side surface aspiration port disposed at the side surface of the cabinet. In the cross section of the cabinet taken along the horizontal direction, a first vessel supplying part for supplying a first vessel is disposed at a midportion of the cabinet, and a second vessel supplying part for supplying a second vessel is disposed at an inner peripheral portion of the cabinet. The first vessel supplying part has a first lid capable of entirely covering the first vessel supplying part. The first vessel has no lid. The second vessel supplying part has no lid. The second vessel has a second lid.