New 48 Micro Bioreactor System Generates Real-Time Data for 48 Parallel Bioreactor Cultures in a Single Run

The Automation Partnership (TAP) announces a new 48 bioreactor version of its advanced micro bioreactor system (ambr™) for more complex experimental design. This new version of the ambr workstation automates the operation of 48 disposable micro bioreactors and closely replicates the characteristics of benchtop bioreactors at microscale (10–15 ml working volume).

In the new system, the 48 micro bioreactors are arranged in four culture stations containing sets of 12, each with a miniature internal impeller, as well as individual closed loop control of dissolved O2 and pH and a supply of gases. Each culture station has independent stirring speed and temperature control, allowing scientists to test up to four different temperature and stir speeds simultaneously, making sophisticated experimental designs much simpler to carry out with just one real-time parallel run.

The new ambr system, controls culture set-up and inoculation, the addition of alkalis and feeds, as well as culture sampling for cell count and analysis such as antibody titre, and is less than 50 cm wider than the original ambr so is still compact enough to fit in a standard laboratory biosafety cabinet. These features ensure users can save time by setting up and leaving their experiments for automatic processing and monitoring, under aseptic conditions, overnight or at weekends,.

Dr Barney Zoro, TAP’s newly appointed Bioprocess Product Manager stated: "The original ambr system has been shown by Biotech and Contract Manufacturing Organisations to be an efficient bioreactor mimic. We have just had published an excellent paper with data from a major biopharm company demonstrating how well ambr performs in comparison to a 7L benchtop bioreactor.”

Zoro concluded: “We are pleased to introduce the next version of our ambr at such an important bioprocessing forum. The system will fulfil the needs of many bioprocess scientists as it doubles the number of process conditions that can be tested at once, enabling more sophisticated experimental designs and generating real-time data for 48 parallel bioreactor cultures in a single run. This is a very exciting development and we look forward to welcoming visitors to Booth 807 to explain how our new 48 bioreactor ambr system could increase their productivity with cell line selection and process development, while also reducing their materials and labour costs.”