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Biology in the Laboratory

Inside Other Biotech Labs

What is a bioreactor?

A bioreactor is a large vessel in which a biological reaction or transformation occurs. Bioreactors are used in bioprocessing technology to carry out large-scale mammalian cell culture and microbial fermentation. For example, penicillin (an antibiotic) is made from the fungus Penicillium chrysogenum in a bioreactor; the vitamin riboflavin is made from the bacteria Eremothecium ashbyii; and the hormone insulin is made from the bacteria recombinant Escherichia.



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