Partitioning bioreactors.

A very wide range of methods has recently been employed to selectively partition fermentation products, substrates, or other metabolites to achieve an overall improvement in bioprocess performance. Techniques ranging from extraction and gas stripping to electrokinetic methods have been used to favorably influence the microenvironment of cells being cultivated in bioreactors. Virtually all types of cells, including animal cells, have benefitted by such selective partitioning and very high value fermentation products, such as monoclonal antibodies and secondary metabolites, have been produced using this process concept.