The disclosed technology, in some embodiments, relates to the field of photobioreactors and more particularly, to photobioreactors having improved internal illumination capabilities.

A conjugation device includes at least one flow reactor having an inlet and an outlet, the flow reactor(s) being completely filled with a support such as a matrix including 1) chromatography beads, fibers or membranes, and 2) a biologic catalyzer, namely the enzyme ligase, which is immobilized onto this support; a fluid delivery unit in fluid communication with the inlet of the flow reactor(s) and configured to continuously provide the flow reactor(s) with at least one kind of reaction fluid such as antibody and linker-payload according to stages of the conjugation process, the at least one kind of process fluid including a first moiety and a second moiety of a conjugate to be produced; and a fluid collection unit in fluid communication with the outlet of the flow reactor(s) and configured to control collection of fluid flowing out of the outlet of the flow reactor(s) according to the stages of the conjugation process. In a period of enabling the at least one kind of reaction fluid to continuously flow through the flow reactor(s), a conjugation reaction is conducted between the first moiety and the second moiety under catalysis of the ligase to produce the conjugate.

A method for promoting biological activity uses a filter system to increase cell production of a fed batch bioreactor. The filter system cycles bioreactor fluid through a hollow fiber tangential flow filter which separates metabolic wastes (as well as proteins) from cells produced in bioreactor and returned to fed batch bioreactor, improving cell production in the fed batch bioreactor. The filter system includes a disposable pump and filter, and a reusable control system. The pump is a low shear gamma stable pump gently cycling bioreactor fluid through the filter with minimal damage to the cells produced in the bioreactor. The pumphead and hollow fiber tangential flow filter are disposable. The pump motor is part of the control system and is reusable. The pumphead and filter are provided as an assembled and pre-sterilized unit allowing simple and quick attachment to the fed batch bioreactor, and simple and quick disposal.

Described are embodiments for expanding cells in a bioreactor. In one embodiment, methods are provided that distribute cells throughout the bioreactor and attach cells to specific portions of a bioreactor to improve the expansion of the cells in the bioreactor. Embodiments may be implemented on a cell expansion system configured to load, distribute, attach and expand cells.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to systems and methods for perfusion cell culture involving alternating fluid flows between first and second flexible vessels. For example, a hollow fiber filter module may be attached to first and second culture vessels which each include inner and outer vessels. A pressure source may cause a pressure differential between the outer vessels, which may cause a responsive fluid flow between the inner vessels across a hollow fiber filtration unit.

Embodiments described herein generally provide for expanding cells in a cell expansion system. The cells may be grown in a bioreactor, and the cells may be activated by an activator (e.g., a soluble activator complex). Nutrient and gas exchange capabilities of a closed, automated cell expansion system may allow cells to be seeded at reduced cell seeding densities, for example. Parameters of the cell growth environment may be manipulated to load the cells into a particular position in the bioreactor for the efficient exchange of nutrients and gases. System parameters may be adjusted to shear any cell colonies that may form during the expansion phase. Metabolic concentrations may be controlled to improve cell growth and viability. Cell residence in the bioreactor may be controlled. In embodiments, the cells may include T cells. In further embodiments, the cells may include T cell subpopulations, including regulatory T cells (Tregs), for example.

A liquid cell culture medium collecting filter unit includes a porous metal membrane that filters out cells in a liquid cell culture medium, a support that holds a peripheral portion of the porous metal membrane. and a tubular member that has a hollow part serving a flow path for a liquid cell culture medium. The tubular member is connected to the support such that the flow path faces at least part of a main surface of the porous metal membrane.

A waste treatment, pyrolysis and gasification and concerns an apparatus for syngas bio-methanation include a unit for pyrolysis/gasification receiving organic material, the unit for pyrolysis/gasification generating syngas, comprising at least one membrane reactor inside a liquid bath comprising at least one bacteria population, the membrane reactor comprising at least one hollow fiber in contact with the liquid bath, around which a biofilm is formed and into which the syngas from the unit for pyrolysis/gasification flows, so as to convert the syngas into methane. A method for bio-methanation of syngas comprising a step of providing syngas from a unit for pyrolysis/gasification to a membrane reactor inside a liquid bath comprising at least one suitable bacteria population, the membrane reactor comprising at least one hollow fiber in contact with the liquid bath, around which a biofilm is formed and into which the output syngas of the unit for pyrolysis flows, so as to convert the syngas into methane.

Described herein are nanostraw well insert apparatuses (e.g., devices and systems) that include nanotubes extending through and out of a membrane so that a material can pass through the membrane from a fluid reservoir depot and into a cell grown onto the nanotubes when electrical energy (e.g., electroporation energy) is applied. In particular, the device, systems and methods described herein may be adapted for cell growth viability and transfection efficiency (e.g., >70%). These apparatuses may be readily integratable into cell culturing processes for improved transfection efficiency, intracellular transport, and cell viability.

A cell culture bioreactor has membranes divided into a plurality of zones. The membranes may include perfusion membranes carrying a liquid media and/or gas transfer membranes. The bioreactor has one or more sensors configured to collect data from one or more locations within the bioreactor. The supply of one or more of the gaseous and/or liquid media to a selected zone or zones may be controlled. In some examples, the supply includes a background supply and a selectable incremental supply. The bioreactor may be used to grow cells in suspension. Liquid media circulates within an extra-capillary space of the bioreactor. In some examples, a portion of cells is permitted for a period of time to be restrained within one or more zones of the membranes. Elements of a reactor may be made in a mold. A reactor may be operated in a fed-batch process.