Short Description
The Integrated Bioprocess Development, Scale-up and Analytics Infrastructure at the Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (acib) enables the development, optimization, scale-up and characterization of biotechnological production and purification processes. It combines complementary equipment and expertise for upstream processing, process intensification, downstream processing, and process and product analytics.
For upstream processing, DASGIP multibioreactors support parallel process development. BioFlo 320 bioreactor systems enable cell culture, including virus production, at scales up to 10 litres, with single-use options available and supporting scale-up studies. An XCell ATF 2 system provides scalable cell retention for high-cell-density and intensified or continuous cultivation processes.
Downstream capabilities include preparative ÄKTA chromatography systems and a pilot-scale continuous flow ultracentrifuge with automated fluid handling for capture, concentration and purification of diverse biomolecules. Process and product characterization capabilities comprise field-flow fractionation, analytical HPLC with UV, MALS, DLS, RI and fluorescence detection. The platform is complemented by nanoparticle tracking analysis and high-resolution microflow cytometry.
The infrastructure thereby enables integrated process development from upstream and downstream processing to analytical characterization. Particular expertise is available for production and purification processes involving bionanoparticles such as viruses, virus-like particles and extracellular vesicles, as well as mammalian and insect cell culture processes. The infrastructure is located in a non-GMP BSL2 environment and is available for collaborative research, industry-oriented development projects and external users.
Contact Person
Dr. Martin Trinker
Research Services
Research services include the development, optimization, scale-up and characterization of biotechnological production and purification processes. Services comprise parallel upstream process screening and optimization, bioreactor and cell culture process development, scale-up and scale-down studies, batch, fed-batch, continuous and perfusion processes, and process intensification using cell retention. Downstream process development and optimization capabilities cover harvest, capture, concentration and purification using techniques such as filtration, chromatography and (ultra)centrifugation. Comprehensive analytical services for process and product characterization are available, including HPLC, field-flow fractionation (FFF), MALS/DLS, nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), and microflow cytometry. Particular expertise is available for the development of integrated production and purification processes for bionanoparticles such as viruses, virus-like particles (VLPs), and extracellular vesicles. The infrastructure is available for collaborative R&D projects and, upon agreement, to external users and companies.
Methods & Expertise for Research Infrastructure
The infrastructure combines methods and expertise across the complete bioprocess development workflow. Upstream capabilities include parallel bioprocess screening and process characterization, mammalian and insect cell culture, scale-up studies, and intensified or continuous cultivation with cell retention. Downstream processing capabilities include preparative chromatography and continuous pilot-scale ultracentrifugation for capture, concentration, primary purification and chromatographic process optimization.
Process and product analytics comprise analytical chromatography (SEC, AEX, HIC and affinity chromatography), field-flow fractionation (FFF), multi-angle and dynamic light scattering (MALS/DLS), UV, RI and fluorescence detection, nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), and microflow cytometry. These methods enable the investigation of particle size and size distribution, concentration, shape and other biophysical properties.
Particular expertise is available in the development, optimization, scale-up, purification and characterization of bionanoparticle processes, including viruses, virus-like particles (VLPs), and extracellular vesicles. Combining upstream, downstream and analytical capabilities enables integrated process development and the investigation of critical process parameters and product quality.
Allocation to research infrastructure
Joint Research Projects are subject to acib’s General Terms and Conditions (GTC), unless otherwise specified in the respective Joint Research Agreement. The GTC cover, among other aspects, project execution and changes to the research programme, financial contributions, liability, intellectual property, confidentiality and publication of research results. Work performed within the non-GMP BSL2 infrastructure is additionally subject to the applicable safety and access requirements.
Interested companies and research partners are invited to contact acib to discuss specific access options and applicable conditions.
GTC: https://www.acib.at/de/gtc/