University of Turku in Finland invests in modern fermentation bioreactor to advance life sciences

Aiming to enhance research and understanding of life sciences, a new fermentation reactor built by Bioengineering AG and tailored for the applications by Thurne has been installed in the University of Turku, Department of Life Technologies.

“We bought this reactor to expand our possibilities to grow different microbes, which are the starting material for making proteins. This will help us get a better understanding of how proteins and cells work, and therefore how life itself works,” explains Dr. Anssi Malinen, Biochemistry lecturer at the University of Turku’s Department of Life Technologies in Finland. “We also plan to use the proteins to do structural work on them and generate data on reactions and mechanisms. So this is a very important tool in our research work.”

Malinen’s group, which includes graduate and undergraduate student researchers, is concentrating on proteins. Meanwhile, other researchers at UTU are using the new reactor to produce bacteria that make smaller antibiotics to support a range of research proj ects in that field.

Precise process control and larger batches are a big advantage

For any research in life sciences, a modern flexible bioreactor is very important as the initial production step, says Malinen. “The new reactor is crucial because it helps us grow the proteins in much larger batches of up to 30 litres in a more controlled way, with better control of growth parameters like levels of O2, pH, nutrients, and employ also fed-batch culture modes. At the same time, we can get many more cells from the same volume, due to more intensive cell production. We can also do controlled trials to study the impact of each single variable in more detail, which is a big advantage.”

Other helpful features of the new reactor include advanced sensors which control the feed process for optimized output. In addition, the unit does sterilization in place (SIP) between batches, which is a nice advantage and an easy way of handling this essential step in the process.

Training of students and cooperation with outside researchers as well

The new reactor is also being used as a training and learning tool for Bioprocess Engineering students since it can be programmed in many ways and uses advanced feeding profiles. Even outside users such as external companies and research bodies can use the reactor if needed, which can help in gaining synergies between various research projects in different organizations.

A key advantage, says Malinen, is that the Bioengineering unit features flexible software conditions, allowing the university to connect it to as many of the students’ computers as it wants for simulation and learning purposes, without licensing restrictions.

Would recommend the reactor to others

“So far,” continues Malinen, “we are happy with the equipment, and I would recommend it. We had a 25 year old Bioengineering unit so it was time for an upgrade. As with all major purchases we went through the official bidding procedure, and this was our best choice. I also think for researchers who might want a larger capacity this reactor can be scaled up if needed.”

“Regarding our research, it is still early days, but the bioreactor is already shaping the future work in my group. It is catalyzing new ways to do things, giving us new research directions based on the sensors and controlled growth, so we can tailor the microbes and the culture process. We are confident we will be able to use the reactor to support important research and advances in life science technology, which of course is our aim.”