Bioprocess Innovation Suite
The Bioprocess Innovation Suite at Teagasc Moorepark is a “one stop shop” for bioprocess development, optimisation and scale up. Funded by Science Foundation Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc, the suite consists of an array of bioreactors, some with automated liquid handling and sampling, and an adjacent microbiology prep lab.
Bioprocessing is a process that uses living organisms to produce a desired, value-added product. These processes have the capacity to transform low value products (including waste streams) into higher value products with enhanced functional properties, extended shelf-life and improved safety. The development of the Bioprocess Innovation Suite alongside the longstanding expertise of Teagasc food scientists and the facilities available at the onsite pilot plant, Moorepark Technology Ltd. is the latest expansion in Teagasc’s Cultures, Fermentation and Biotransformation research platform.
The expansion to the platform consists of a new laboratory housing a collection of bioreactors, ranging from 0.8 ml to 20 L in scale. A 250 L bioreactor has been installed in the new fermentation facility at the adjacent pilot plant, Moorepark Technology Ltd. Significantly, the microbioreactors are combined with an integrated, automated microfluidics system for reaction setup and robotic sampling. This can be used for microbial strain screening and rapid scaled-down process optimisation.
In the below clip, Professor Olivia McAuliffe introduces the Bioprocess Innovation Suite at Teagasc Moorepark. This facility aims to be a “one stop shop” for bioprocess development, optimisation and scale up. Technological innovations in bioprocessing can contribute to improving the sustainability of the food production system.
Equipment
Biolector Pro and Robolector XL
48 samples, 0.8-2ml volume
Applikon Mini-Bio
8 reactors, 50-200ml volume
Applikon EZ-Bio
2-20 L volume
Applikon Pilot Scale Bioreactor
250 L volume, located at Moorepark Technology Ltd
Downstream Processing
As part of the Bioprocess Innovation Suite, a number of downstream processing platforms are also available to users, including membrane filtration, flavour chemistry and DNA sequencing.
For more information on these facilities, watch our YouTube playlist.
Research Projects
U-Protein: Unlocking Protein Resource Opportunities To Evolve Ireland’s Nutrition
EBSTAR: Efficient Biotransformation of Underutilised and Waste Food Processing Streams into Alternative and Renewable Products.