Multifactorial process optimisation method and system

A system for increasing process performance in a biological process, wherein a biological process is a specific sequence of transformative events performed upon a starting material in order to achieve a specified purpose or goal, wherein the process uses complete living cells or any of their components, wherein the process results in the transformation of the starting material into a product, the system comprising:

• (i) a processor adapted to implement a method comprising:
• (a) an identification phase, in which at least seven factors are identified, wherein a factor is defined as a feature of or within a process that when modified will affect the performance of the process, and wherein the factors are selected from at least two process factors and at least two genetic factors, wherein process factors are selected from a group comprising of features of the equipment, environment, protocol, reagents, handling of cells and process design;
• and wherein genetic factors are selected from qualitative and quantitative features associated with any genetic material involved in the process;
• (b) a factor screening phase, in which individual and combined contributions to process performance of each of the at least seven factors as described in (a) are determined, such that the presence of multifactorial interactions might be identified, wherein factors are deemed to interact when the effects of changes to one factor are dependent on the value of another factor;
• and
• (c) a refinement phase, in which interactions that result in an increase in process performance between the at least seven factors are identified and tested;
• and
• (ii) a laboratory automation apparatus, wherein the apparatus is controlled by the processor and is configured so as to implement the factor screening and refinement phases.