Gas permeable bioreactor and method of use

A gas permeable bioreactor comprising:

• a tubular vessel with walls constructed at least partially of a gas permeable material, said tubular vessel having closed ends and a substantially horizontal longitudinal central axis;
• a permeable membrane positioned across the tubular vessel in a plane substantially perpendicular to the substantially horizontal longitudinal central axis to provide two chambers in said tubular vessel;
• means for rotating the tubular vessel about said substantially horizontal longitudinal central axis;
• and
• one or more vessel access ports for transferring materials into and out of the tubular vessel.

A gas permeable bioreactor comprising:

• a tubular vessel with walls constructed at least partially of a gas permeable material, said tubular vessel having closed ends and a substantially horizontal longitudinal central axis;
• wherein one or more microscope viewports are incorporated into a vessel wall;
• means for rotating the tubular vessel about said substantially horizontal longitudinal central axis;
• and
• one or more vessel access ports for transferring materials into and out of the tubular vessel.

A gas permeable bioreactor comprising:

• a tubular vessel with outer walls constructed at least partially of a gas permeable material, said tubular vessel having closed ends and a substantially horizontal longitudinal central axis;
• means for rotating the tubular vessel about said substantially horizontal longitudinal central axis;
• and one or more vessel access ports for transferring materials into and out of the tubular vessel;
• wherein the tubular vessel has means on each end for attaching to an additional bioreactor, whereby a chain of bioreactors may be formed.

A gas permeable bioreactor comprising:

• a tubular vessel with walls constructed at least partially of a gas permeable material, said tubular vessel having closed ends and a horizontal central axis and having two slidable interconnected members, wherein a first member fits slidably into a second member, forming a liquid tight seal therebetween and providing a variable volume vessel;
• means for rotating the tubular vessel about said horizontal central axis;
• and
• one or more vessel access ports for transferring materials into and out of the tubular vessel.