Short Description
The bioreactor system consists of four parallel reactors in the scale of 1-2 liters each. These reactors are controlled by a central control system including a computer. Using the reactor system, bioprocesses can be developed in laboratory scale, with operation in batch, fed-batch and continuous mode. Additionally, the system can be used to cultivate miroorganisms under well defined conditions for metabolic/physiological studies. The system can be operated with off gas analysis to analyze consumption and production of gaseous compounds (e.g., oxygen, CO2, etc.).
Contact Person
Stefan Pflügl
Research Services
Bioprocess development with aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms in the area industrial biotechnology, including gas fermentation.
Methods & Expertise for Research Infrastructure
The group for Indsustrial Biotechnology at TU Wien develops processes for the manufacturing of chemicals, biofuels/e-fuels and bioplastics with the help of microorganisms. It applies a multidisciplinary approach. Bioprocess development (fermentation, using e.g, parallel bioreactor systems) are combined with metabolic/genetic engineering (e.g., using CRISPR/Cas) to use genetically modified microorganisms, e.g., anaerobic bacteria, with improved/desired properties for the generation of said products. As substrates for the desired conversions residual streams from agriculture or the pulp industry, methanol/formic acid from chemical/electrocatalysis as well as gaseous feedstocks such as CO2, H2 and CO are used. Additionally, methods from systems biology and metabolic modeling are used.