Verax system

The protocols for using the Verax System One are supphed with the culture unit and have been published previously (Looby, 1993). The culture productivity data presented in Tables 5.9.1 and 5.9.2 demonstrate its capabihty in comparison with other systems and during scale-up. 

The Verax system comprises a bioreactor (fluidization tube), a control system (for pH, oxygen, medium flow rates), gas and heat exchanger, and medium supply and harvest vessels. The system is run continuously for long periods (typically over 100 days). In the authors laboratory it produced 15 x 10 cells/ hire and 540 mg mAb/litre/day (compared to 166 in the fixed bed described above, 25.5 in a stirred reactor, and 18.5 mg in an airlift fermenter). Protocols for its operation come with the equipment and versions have been published (41). In summary it is probably the most productive system available giving the cells a very high specific production rate but does require some skill to operate to its maximum potential... 

Gustafson, R. M., Stahr, J. J., and Burke, D. H. 1987. The use of safety and risk assessment procedures in the analysis of biological process systems A case study of the verax system 2000. American Society of Mechanical Engineers 1987 Winter Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, December 13-18, 1987. 

Figure 5.9.2 Schematic diagram of Verax culture system.

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