Stirred Tank Reactor And Method

Abstract

Container for sample preparation or processing, such as biomass culturing or processing, and optionally sample purification. In certain embodiments, the reactor is a bioreactor that includes a stirred cell device that simulates a tangential flow filter to reduce or eliminate clogging that can be caused by the solids generated. In certain embodiments, the solids comprise a precipitate or floc or beads, such as one that includes a polymer that binds the biomolecule(s) of interest, and impurities. In its method aspects, embodiments disclosed herein include purification and isolation of biomolecules of interest derived from cell culture fluids. The methods include carrying out sample preparation or processing in a container, culturing a biomass; generating solids by precipitating or flocculating a biomolecule of interest from the cultured broth; preventing the solids from settling in the container by agitation; and purification, such as by eluting the biomolecule of interest and filtering the same.

1 . An assembly for culturing or processing a sample, comprising: a first container having an interior space, a first base adapted to be sealingly affixed to said first container and supporting at least one membrane; an outlet in said base, a second container adapted to be in fluid communication with the outlet of said first base, and a second base adapted to be sealingly affixed to said second container. 
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said second container supports at least one membrane. 
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first container is a bioreactor. 
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an agitator within the body of said first container to agitate said sample. 
   
   
       5 . A method for purifying a biomolecule from a mixture containing impurities comprising: a. providing the mixture at a set of conditions, b. adding one or more polymers, soluble in said mixture under the set of conditions and capable of reversibly and selectively binding to the biomolecule, c. mixing the one or more solubilized polymers throughout the mixture; d. precipitating the one or more polymers and bound biomolecule out of solution by changing the set of conditions in the mixture; e. washing said precipitate by contacting said precipitate with a wash solution and filtering the supernatant through a first membrane, f. recovering the bound biomolecule from the polymer and filtering the biomolecule through a second membrane. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said filtering of said supernatant and said filtering of said biomolecule are carried out in the same apparatus. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the biomolecule is an antibody selected from the group consisting of a recombinant antibody, a recombinant monoclonal antibody, a polyclonal antibody, a humanized antibody and an antibody fragment. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said biomolecule is a protein.