We have found a way to make possible large-scale plasmid transfection using PEI to produce high titer viral vectors in fixed bed or adherent cell culture bioreactors by using PEI as a transfection agent, while avoiding formation of the PEI-plasmid precipitate which in prior art approaches clogged adherent bioreactor substrates. We have also found a way to improve PEI-based transfection by modifying how pH and CO.sub.2 are managed during transfection.

A solid state fermentation process for producing methane, and a bioreactor and solid support for use in the process are disclosed.

This invention discloses a three-dimensional (3D) bioreactor for large scale expansion of immune cells and methods of use. The 3D bioreactor comprising at least one packed bed chamber comprising at least one porous scaffold; at least one porous scaffold coated with one or more extra cellular matrix protein (ECM); at least one container comprising a fluid media, the fluid media is configured to flow through said packed bed chamber with at least one porous coated scaffold; and at least one population of immune cells suspended in the fluid media, wherein, the at least one porous scaffold coated with said ECM is creates a stationary niche having low shear forces that imitate the natural growth environment of the immune cells and allows expansion of the immune cells population that flow through the coated porous scaffold in large scale.

The present invention relates to a process for producing alcohols, according to which a sugary fluid (2) is introduced into a reaction section (1) comprising a support (4) on which microorganisms are immobilized, in order to produce, by fermentation, an alcohol-enriched must (3) under the action of said microorganisms, characterized in that the process is carried out continuously, and such that a portion of spent support (41) is periodically replaced by a portion of new and/or regenerated support (46).

A gel composition contains an amphiphilic block polymer having a hydrophilic block chain and a hydrophobic block chain. An organogel is obtained by mixing the amphiphilic block polymer with an organic solvent, and a xerogel is formed by removing the organic solvent from the organogel. A hydrogel is formed by mixing the xerogel with water or an aqueous solution. A hydrogel encapsulating cells to be cultured may be formed by mixing a xerogel with an aqueous solution containing the cells such as a cell culture solution.

A sampler for use with a bioreactor for growing a cell culture is disclosed. In one embodiment, the bioreactor includes a structured fixed bed including a removable sample portion for recovering a sample of cells from the cell culture. Related apparatuses and methods are also disclosed.

A fixed-bed bioreactor system is provided that includes a vessel with a media inlet, a media outlet, and an interior cavity disposed between and in fluid communication with the media inlet and media outlet. The vessel further includes a cell culture substrate disposed in the interior cavity between the media inlet and the media outlet in a packed-bed configuration, the cell culture substrate including a plurality of porous disks in a stacked arrangement. The interior cavity includes a cell culture section and a spacer section, the cell culture substrate defining the cell culture section and the spacer section being disposed between the cell culture section and the media outlet, and each of the plurality of porous disks has a surface configured to culture cells thereon.

A system for forming fibrin foam, preferably utilizing a single container, comprising a cartridge structured to be rotationally driven and including a primary chamber disposed and structured to receive a blood sample therein. The cartridge further includes reaction and cell chambers independently disposed in fluid communication with said primary chamber. The blood sample is separated into a plasma segment and a packed cell segment when subjected to sufficient centrifugation concurrent to the driven rotation of the cartridge. Concurrent to the centrifugation of the canister, the plasma segment is directed from said primary chamber into said reaction chamber and the packed cell segment is directed from an interior of said primary chamber to an exterior thereof, such as into the cell chamber. The reaction chamber includes sufficient quantities of gas and reactant composition to facilitate formation of fibrin foam therein concurrent to centrifugation.

A device and method for forming fibrin foam, preferably utilizing a single container, comprising a base structured to be rotationally driven and including a separation chamber disposed and structured to receive a blood sample therein. The base includes a reaction chamber disposed in fluid communication with said separation chamber. The blood sample is separated into a plasma segment and a packed cell segment when subjected to sufficient centrifugation concurrent to the driven rotation of the base. According to structural features, and in some instances concurrent and continuous centrifugation, the plasma segment is directed from said separation chamber into said reaction chamber which includes sufficient quantities of gas and reactant composition to facilitate formation of fibrin foam therein concurrent to centrifugation. Further centrifugation of the fibrin foam and the inclusion of additional features such as a pressurized reaction chamber facilitate the formation of fibrin foam exhibiting varying chemical and/or physical properties.

The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to systems and methods for processing organic compounds, such as manure or other organic waste. Embodiments may comprise a first containment chamber, a first anaerobic chamber, and a second anaerobic chamber. A first anaerobic chamber may receive organic compounds from a first containment chamber, and may provide a fluid stream to a second anaerobic chamber. The second anaerobic chamber may comprise a substrate, such as lava rock, with bacteria growing thereon. Further, a sulfide gas treating unit may receive and treat sulfide gases from a first anaerobic chamber and/or a second anaerobic chamber. A water storage unit may receive and store waste water or effluent from a first anaerobic chamber and/or a second anaerobic chamber.