Method and apparatus for growing plant cells
AssigneeBoard of Trustees operating Michigan State University
InventorsRobert Mark Worden, Kenneth C. Sink, Tyler T. Ames, Vicki S. Thompson
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Abstract
A method and bioreactor (10) apparatus is described for growing plant cells, particularly to produce plant derived chemicals is described. Bioparticles (11) containing magnetically susceptible particles are provided in a column (12) surrounded by a solenoids (13, 14, 14A) which act to hold the bioparticles in position in the column. One of the solenoids with a magnetically susceptible screen (24) acts as a valve to allow a portion of the bioparticles to be removed from the column. The method is particularly described for producing daidzein and genistein.
Claims15
In a continuous process for growing plant cells in a culture medium and removing the cells from the culture medium, the improvement which comprises:
- (a) providing bioparticles, formed by binding the cells of the plant material and magnetically susceptible particles together, in a column with opposed ends for inlet and outlet of bioparticles and with an activated first electromagnetic field generator around the column between the ends which produces a magnetic field which holds the bioparticles in position in a portion of the column without mixing of the bioparticles in the column and with an activated second electromagnetic field generator around the column acting with a magnetically susceptible screen across the column as a magnetic valve to prevent bioparticles from being moved from the portion of the column between the first electromagnetic field generator and the outlet;
- (b) circulating a culture medium for the cells through the bioparticles as they are held in position by the activated electromagnet;
- and
- (c) repeatedly adding bioparticles at one part of the column;
- and
- (d) removing bioparticles from another part separated from the one part of the column by inactivating the second electromagnetic field generator, without inactivating the first electromagnetic field generator, wherein a portion of the bioparticles are removed from the magnetic field.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.