DASBox system (evolution in a CUP)
The DASBox system is a small-scale fermentation system (75-200ml cultures) that comprise of four independent bioreactors. The growth parameters in each bioreactor are controlled separately, thus enabling to execute unique complex regimes of growth and selection. This system is useful for many types of experiments on top of standard fermentation, and is mainly used for in vivo evolution experiments we call Evolution in a CUP. We also use these bioreactors for competition experiments, perturbation experiments & more.
BioFlo115
This is a medium-scale laboratory glass fermentor (New Brunswick Scientific). In this system we typically grow 1-10 lit cultures of microorganisms, and routinely control up to 6 different parameters (temp, agitation, pH, aeration, dissolved oxygen, level/foam). This fermentor is used to grow microorganisms in batch or in the more sophisticated fed-batch mode, to achieve high-density cultures (typically ODs >60). This bioreactor along with the BioFlo110, and BioFlo2000 is also used for development processes, where we aim to identify the best growth and expression conditions of a desired product (e.g. protein or microorganism).
BioFlo110
BioFlo110 is a 1-10 liters glass fermentor (New Brunswick Scientific) with the same properties and capabilities of the BioFlo115 (see above).
BioFlo610
The BioFlo610 is a 40-100 liters SIP (Sterilization In Place) pilot plant fermentor. This system is used to upscale small-scale fermentations in order to increase the yield of the needed product. In this bioreactor we can control various variables such as: the temperature, agitation, level/foam, pH, dissolved oxygen and pressure, to tightly control the growth process and to help achieve the desired yields. This unit is routinely used to grow large volumes of microorganisms in batches or using fed-batch protocols for High-Density cultures.
BioFlo2000
BioFlo2000 - A 10 Liters glass fermentor equipped with temperature, agitation, level/foam, pH and dissolved oxygen controls (New Brunswick Scientific). This bioreactor is used to grow microorganisms in batch or in the more sophisticated fed-batch mode, to achieve high-density cultures (typically ODs >60). This bioreactor along with the BioFlo115, and BioFlo110 is also used in process development, where we try to find the best growth and expression conditions of a desired product (e.g. protein or microorganism).
BioFlo19
BioFlo19- 10 Liters glass fermentor equipped with temperature and agitation controls (New Brunswick Scientific).
CepaLE
This is a continuous centrifuge that enables the collection of cell mass or filtrate from large volumes (typically fermentations) while avoiding the need to stop and reload batch of liquids, like in floor centrifuges (e.g. - Sorvall). The centrifuge has a capacity to harvest 5-30 liters of liquid culture/hour. The volume of the rotor is large enough to hold ~300 grams of cell pellet.
Cepaz-41
This centrifuge, like the LE model, is used to collect cell pellet or filtrate from high-density fermentations and from the large scale fermentations performed in the BioFlo610, thus covering the higher end of fermentations in the unit. The capacity of the centrifuge is 100-500 liters per hour and the 2 liters rotor can hold up to 2.5 Kg of cell paste.
Microfluidizer
Is a high-pressure cell lysis and shearing instrument (typically between 15,000 and 28,000 PSI) that we use to prepare extracts from cells (usually bacteria, algae and yeast). Another application using this is the production of emulsions. Typical volume starts from 200ml (e.g. – cell pellets from fermentations). The microfuidizer is used to extract both soluble and membrane associated proteins, using one of two different collision-cell geometries: Z-shape channel and Y-shape channel respectively.
Pouromatic
The Pouromatic is an automatic agar plates pouring machine (6 and 9 cm plates). We use it to help prepare large quantities of agar plates.
Large Autoclave
The two large volume autoclaves (Tuttnauer) are used to sterilize liquid media, media for bacteriological plates, large volume liquid media such as bioreactors and any material that needs to be sterilized or decontaminated.
Small Autoclave
This new 210 liters autoclave from Federgari is our newest addition to the unit. We use it to sterilize liquid media, agar plate, and dry instruments. We use it when we want to sterilize small lots, rather than using the larger autoclaves.
Ultra Sonic processor
Is used to disrupt cells by sonication, it is suitable for the processing of cell suspensions ranging from 0.2ml to 50ml, using a standard or a micro-tip probe.