Researchers at Iowa State University (ISU) have developed a biomanufacturing device that could make it much more feasible for companies to produce biological products on a small scale. Funded by BioMADE, the Continuous Taylor Vortex Fermentor-Extractor-Separator combines three expensive steps- fermentation, product extraction, and separation- into one device. Dr. Dennis Vigil, chemical and biological engineering professor at ISU, was one of the researchers who worked on this project. He said this device eliminates the need for large, specialized facilities and makes advanced biomanufacturing more accessible.
ISU Professor Zengyi Shao said the device is only a few feet tall, which makes it easy to set up and move around while also providing a high volume of productivity.
Dr. Vigil said their next goal is to continue to optimize the productivity of the device and figure out how to scale it up further.
More information on the Continuous Taylor Vortex Fermentor-Extractor-Separator can be found at biomade.org.
