How are the systems used?
Since 2014, we’ve used Labfors and Techfors bioreactors for a variety of bioprocess research and development applications. These bioreactors are essential for cultivating and developing microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, and fungi, enabling the production of valuable products like secondary metabolites, proteins, animal vaccines, and food. Additionally, we employ these bioreactors in fermentation operations to optimize conditions for microbial growth and metabolism, ensuring we achieve high yields and product purity. Furthermore, we offer services to industry, utilizing our bioreactors to provide solutions tailored to their specific needs, further expanding the practical applications of our work.
How have these systems helped your organization?
The Labfors and Techfors bioreactor systems from INFORS HT have significantly improved our bioprocess R&D capabilities. Before using these bioreactors, recording and analyzing fermentation data was challenging, hindering our ability to optimize processes. The included eve® bioprocess platform software aids our operation, allowing real-time fermentation profile recording, visualization, and analysis. This enhances our ability to monitor runs, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions for better process optimization and product quality. The user-friendly interface also reduces training time and ensures smooth operation.
Furthermore, digitalized and simplified calibration processes ensure accurate measurements, reducing downtime and improving overall productivity. The cascade control features also provide flexible control over fermentation parameters, catering to various microbial cultures and production conditions.
One particular anecdote was that we encountered difficulties with inoculation in our bioprocessing operations, especially when working with mycelium cultures that tended to form larger pellets. This posed challenges for both the inoculation and harvesting processes. However, INFORS HT provided us with a more straightforward and reliable solution. Their bioreactors feature a flexible design and customizable solutions that allow us to ease the process of inoculating larger mycelium and harvesting it.
Another challenge we faced was the manual calibration system, which proved unreliable and time-consuming. We often experienced fluctuations in calibration readings, leading to inconsistent data. However, the automated calibration features from INFORS HT made the process smoother by eliminating fluctuations and cutting down on the time needed to calibrate. This not only made our measurements more reliable but also made our bioprocessing operations more efficient.