Method and device for carrying out biochemical reactions

US6107055A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Roche Diagnostics GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Hermann Bauer · Wolnzach, DE
• Horst Menzler · Bad Schandau, DE
• Gerd Kleinhammer · Tutzing, DE
• Hans Schels · Munich, DE
• Peter Bendzko · Berlin, DE
• Ute Fink · Nürnberg, DE
• Bernd Maciej · Nürnberg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 30, 1998
• Grant date: Aug 22, 2000
• Expiry date: Jul 30, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12M29/18
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Method and apparatus for carrying out biochemical reactions in particular for cell-free polypeptide biosynthesis. A bioreactor has, within a housing, a reaction chamber containing a producing system as well as a supply chamber separated from the reaction chamber by means of a semi-permeable membrane and containing a liquid serving as supply medium for the producing system. The supply chamber is subdivided within the bioreactor into a first partial chamber and a second partial chamber which are each connected to the reaction chamber via a semi-permeable supply membrane and which are connected to each other by means of a connection conduit. During the biochemical reaction, liquid is circulated from the first partial chamber of the supply chamber through the reaction chamber and into the second partial chamber of the supply chamber in such a fashion that, during each passage of liquid out of the first partial chamber into the reaction chamber, liquid simultaneously passes from the reaction chamber into the second partial chamber and liquid flows out of the second partial chamber via the connection conduit back into the first partial chamber.