Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology – Apparatus – Bioreactor
Patent
1998-02-04
2000-05-16
Redding, David A.
Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
Apparatus
Bioreactor
4352961, 4352971, 4353041, C12M 300
Patent
active
060636181
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a national stage of PCT/DE96/01485 filed Aug. 3, 1996 and based, in turn, on German national application 195 29 099.2 filed Aug. 8, 1995.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device for the series cultivation of microorganisms or cells in gasified liquid columns and culture flasks suitable therefor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
For carrying out series experiments on solid nutrient substrates, the use of agar plates is customary. In such cases, the microorganisms are applied as individual seeds to the solid culture layer and incubated to the respective reaction temperature. The material transport (substrate from the solid cultivation layer and oxygen from the gas phase) is effected purely diffusively.
The classical apparatus for the cultivation of microorganisms in series experiments is the shaker flask apparatus. Such apparatus allows reaction volumes from several milliliters to 1000 milliliters to be used to carry out many experiments in parallel with the aid of the shaker incubator. The energy input for dispersing the liquid phase (medium and microorganisms) is effected via a circular movement of all of the reaction vessels which are arranged on a platform. The oxygen input is effected only, in such cases, via a surface gasification. The material transport in the liquid phase is effected convectively. For miniaturization of this technique (so that still more experiments can be carried out in parallel) it has been proposed to use microtiter plates as reaction vessels. Use of this technique has been hindered by special problems in evaporation because of an unsatisfactory surface to volume ratio.
A technique which is extremely expensive from the apparatus point of view for carrying out series experiments with the microorganisms is the parallel use of laboratory fermenters. For this purpose apparatus must be provided which enables parallel processing of up to six fermentations with a single device. The energy input is here effected by standard stirring elements. Via a gasification device, volume gasification is possible.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide a relatively simple arrangement, from an apparatus viewpoint, for series culturing in which satisfactory gasification is ensured.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This object is achieved with a device according to the invention which comprises a series of culturing flasks with an open or perforated bottom which are provided above the bottom or the bottom opening with gas-permeable porous filter plates whose pore fineness and hydrophobicity suffices to prevent the escape of the liquid from a culture liquid column disposed thereabove, and which via the bottom provides a gas-type connection with a sterile gas feed line.
Such an arrangement of a series of cultivation flasks, which are connected via their bottoms with a gas distributor, can be equipped with different gas distributors in the form of feed pipe lines via bores on a series stand.
It is especially advantageous, however, to provide a gas-tight double bottom as the gas distributor and to equip it with a sterile inlet for gas as the sterile gas feed line, the double bottom having an upper plate with a series of gas outlet openings formed with respective receiving seats for sealing engagement with the cultivation flasks which rest on or are inserted in the seats. This means that between the upper bottom of the gas distributor and the lower end of the cultivation flasks, a sealing connection is provided coaxial with the gas connection bore of the gas distributor.
According to the invention, the following improvements especially result:
1. A substantial problem in the cultivation of aerobic microorganisms is the oxygen supply. By the use of gasified columns for the gasification of microorganisms for series experiments because of the volume gasification a significantly better oxygen supply to the microorganisms is possible than is obtainable with conventional shaker flasks. The difference in oxygen in
Altenbach-Rehm Jutta
Weuster-Botz Dirk
Dubno Herbert
Forschungszentrum Julich GmbH
Redding David A.
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