Disposable bioreactor for culturing microorganisms and cells
AssigneeRutgers, The State University
InventorsRandy Gaugler, Moeen Abu Hatab
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A disposable bioreactor for culturing microorganisms and cells is provided. The bioreactor is suitable for use by individuals not skilled in microbiology or aseptic technique. It is constructed of flexible or semi-flexible waterproof sheets to form a container designed to provided mixing and gas exchange to microorganisms cultured therein. Mixing and gas exchanged are achieved by bubbling gas through the culture, either from a single locus at the lowermost apex of a container having a wedge-shaped or rounded bottom, or from multiple loci across a flat-bottomed container. Also provided is a kit for culturing a selected microorganism, preferably an entomopathogenic nematode or other organism useful as a biopesticide.
Claims41
A disposable bioreactor for culturing microorganisms or cells, comprising flexible or semi-flexible waterproof sheets sealed along their edges to form a container, the container having a wedge shaped or rounded bottom, at the lowermost extremity of which is positioned a gas bubbler for generating gas bubbles for mixing and providing gases to microbial or cellular liquid cultures within the container, the container further comprising at least one inlet port for introducing gases or liquids and at least one exit port for exhausting gases or removing liquids wherein the exit port further comprises a coiled exhaust tube extending therefrom.
A kit for culturing a microorganism, which comprises:
- a) a disposable bioreactor comprising flexible or semi-flexible waterproof sheets sealed along their edges to form a container, the container having a wedge shaped or rounded bottom at the lowermost extremity of which is positioned a gas bubbler for generating gas bubbles for mixing and providing gases to microbial or cellular liquid cultures within the container, the container further comprising at least one inlet port for introducing gases or liquids and at least one exit port for exhausting gases or removing liquids wherein the exit port further comprises a coiled exhaust tube extending therefrom, and
- b) instructions for using the disposable bioreactor to culture the microorganisms.
A disposable bioreactor for culturing microorganisms or cells, comprising flexible or semi-flexible waterproof sheets sealed along their edges to form a container, the container having a generally square or rectangular shape, and further comprising a plurality of gas bubblers positioned across an interior floor of the container, for generating gas bubbles for mixing and providing gases to microbial or cellular liquid cultures within the container, the container further comprising at least one inlet port for introducing gases or liquids and at least one exit port for exhausting gases or removing liquids.
A kit for culturing a microorganism, which comprises:
- a) a disposable bioreactor for culturing microorganisms or cells, comprising flexible or semi-flexible waterproof sheets sealed along their edges to form a container, the container having a generally square or rectangular shape, and further comprising a plurality of gas bubblers positioned across an interior floor of the container, for generating gas bubbles for mixing and providing gases to microbial or cellular liquid cultures within the container, the container further comprising at least one inlet port for introducing gases or liquids and at least one exit port for exhausting gases or removing liquids;
- and
- b) instructions for using the disposable bioreactor to culture the microorganism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.