A new and novel flow through bioreactor, which is broadly applicable to cell and tissue culture for both research and industrial applications, is described. Using bioreactors of this design, the required protocol for optimized production of microtubers of Solanum tuberosum will be established. Using cells of Taxus brevifolia, the use of this sort of bioreactor in cell culture will be assessed. The protocol for the optimization sought will be based upon taxol production. This difficult to synthesize diterpine, which is in critically short supply, shows substantial promise in the treatment of ovarian and other cancers. The particularly novel aspect of the described bioreactor is the method of propelling gases, liquid medium and suspended cells and tissues into, and circulating them, within the reactor. This is accomplished by a low energy input, metering gas-liquid propulsion device. This device does not impart high shear forces, which are damaging to plant cells and tissues, even when cells and tissues are suspended in the liquid medium it is propelling. The devices are very inexpensive to manufacture and will perform in metered delivery ranges beyond the realm of alternative devices.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research:The commercial application of this research is virtually certain, since bioreactors of this design cost far less, are more widely applicable, and will outperform other systems.National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
