Bioreacteur

A bioreactor, also called a bioreacteur in French contexts, is a device or system designed to provide a controlled environment for the growth of cells or microorganisms and the production of biological products. It maintains suitable temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and substrate levels while providing mixing and containment to ensure uniform conditions throughout the culture volume. Most bioreactors are closed vessels made of stainless steel or single‑use materials and include sensors, actuators, and interfaces for feeds, gases, antifoams, and cleaning.

Bioreactors are used across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and industrial fermentation for processes such as growth of bacteria, yeasts, plant cells, insect cells, and mammalian cells. They enable production of enzymes, antibiotics, monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and recombinant proteins. Common configurations include stirred‑tank bioreactors, bubble‑column and air‑lift reactors, and immobilized or packed‑bed systems. They scale from laboratory units to pilot plants and full‑scale manufacturing facilities. Operation modes include batch, fed‑batch, continuous, and perfusion, each offering different control of nutrient supply and product removal.

Materials and construction vary between stainless steel 316L designs and single‑use disposable systems, with emphasis on sterile handling and ease of cleaning or sterilization. Process control relies on automation to regulate temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and feed or gas delivery. Regulatory requirements in GMP environments emphasize validated sterilization, clean‑in‑place or sterilization‑in‑place technologies, and traceability.

Bioreactors are central to modern bioprocessing, enabling reproducible, scalable production of biological products while supporting research and development in biotechnology and life sciences.