Enzyscreen B.V.

🌱 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗩𝗩𝗠 🌱 When scaling up bioprocesses—from microtiter plates to shake flasks to bioreactors—maintaining constant and optimal aeration conditions is critical for ensuring reproducible growth and productivity. One of the fundamental concepts to consider is VVM (Vessel Volumes per Minute), a measure introduced in a 1957 paper (Corman et al.) that remains highly relevant today. 📜 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗩𝗩𝗠?  VVM is a simple metric that quantifies the rate of gas flow into a bioreactor relative to its working volume. Defined as the volume of gas supplied per minute per unit of vessel volume, 1 VVM is often perceived as a good rule of thumb for air supply for yeast and bacterial cultures. This amount of air supply balances sufficient oxygen supply without excessive evaporation. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗩𝗩𝗠 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴?  Alongside mixing time and shear force, VVM is a key metric affecting growth and productivity. By keeping the VVM constant as you transition from a microtiter plate (small working volume) to a shake flask and finally to a larger bioreactor, you minimise risks of inconsistency in scale-up results. 𝗩𝗩𝗠 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀: The 𝗘𝗻𝘇𝘆𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 allows you to determine the exact air flow into the headspace of the culture in your microtiter plate. Our standard covers allow for exactly 1 VVM of diffusion, mimicking standard air flow settings in larger culture vessels while preventing excessive evaporation. Do you match VVM when scaling up? #Biotechnology #ScaleUp #Bioprocessing #VVM #OxygenTransfer #Bioreactors

💡 Maximizing Performance in Microplate Shaking: Understanding the Limits of 3mm Incubator Shakers 💡 3mm orbit incubator shakers have been the biggest trend in shaking in the past 5 years with some papers claiming (multiple fold in some cases) increases in Viable Cell Densities (VCDs) and product titers when shaking 1ml of culture volume in 96DW blocks at 3mm/1000rpm versus 50mm/300rpm. When working with incubator shakers, especially those with a 3mm shaking orbit, it's essential to match the equipment to the task at hand. These shakers are great for specific applications but come with limitations that can affect experimental outcomes if not understood. 🔬 Optimal Use for 96-Deepwell Plates 3mm orbit shakers are well-suited for larger filling volume cultures in 96-deepwell plates. The small shaking orbit aligns with the dimensions and geometry of these plates, ensuring proper mixing, phase alignment, and oxygen transfer rates (OTR/kLa) of cultures op to 1ml. ❌ Why They Fall Short with 24-Deepwell Plates Due to the larger diameter of a well of a 24-deepwell plate, the speed of the liquid cannot keep up with shaker speed resulting in an out of phase condition. This can be seen in the video below and will lead to: - Inadequate mixing, leaving dead zones in the wells. - Poor oxygen transfer efficiency (low OTR/kLa values). - Splashing and formation of aerosols. - Suboptimal growth or reaction conditions, leading to inconsistent or poor results. ⚠️ The Lesson: Not all shakers are created equal for every plate type. Matching your equipment to your experimental setup is critical for reproducibility and success. If you're using 24-deepwell plates, use shakers with a larger orbit, better suited to these plate dimensions. 3mm shakers are trendy, 50mm shakers are forever! #LabTips #ShakingOrbit #OTR #DeepwellPlates #Biotechnology #CHO #HEK #CellCulture

Looking for a fully automated 25-40ml culture volume workflow? Our 6-deepwell plates CR1406 are designed to be an automation friendly alternative to small flasks and are compatible with the main automated incubator shakers, including the Growth Profiler 960RF by Enzyscreen. When comparing them to 125ml flasks, you are able to reach similar mixing times and  k La values in the Enzyscreen CR1406 plate. Video below of 25/30/35ml shaking at 25mm/225rpm

Another great edition we had at Delft last week! Looking forward to the next shaking seminar, which will be already next week at the Hochschule München!

Symposium registration now open: Mini conference on 5th of June in San Francisco! Together with Kuhner Shaker Inc we will host another seminar about shaken cultivations: scale-up, scale-down and automation in microtiter plates and flasks. This time the conference will be in San Francisco in the AC Hotel by Marriott San Francisco Airport/Oyster Point Waterfront. It would be great to meet people from the area there! We have confirmed industry speakers from Willow Biosciences and Genentech Inc. In addition, Scientists from Scientific Bioprocessing, MidSci (TPP) and of course Kuhner Shaker. https://lnkd.in/ezJs-prS