Bioreactor simulator
Bioreactor: what it is, types and virtual reality simulator
A bioreactor is the vessel where cells or microorganisms are grown under controlled conditions to produce biomass, enzymes, vaccines or medicines. Here we explain how it works, which types exist and how it differs from a fermenter. And we show you our virtual reality bioreactor simulator, which universities and companies use to practise with the equipment without tying it up or using materials.
What is a bioreactor
A bioreactor is a vessel that keeps a biological culture (bacteria, yeasts, fungi or animal or plant cells) in the conditions it needs to grow and produce. It controls temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, agitation and nutrient feed.
Bioreactors are used in biotechnology, the pharmaceutical, food and chemical industries and university research: from producing proteins and vaccines to treating wastewater.
Types of bioreactors
They are classified by how they mix and aerate the culture and by how they are fed:
- Stirred tank
- The most common. An impeller mixes the culture and spreads the oxygen.
- Bubble column and airlift
- Air entering at the base mixes the culture with no moving parts. Suited to shear-sensitive cells.
- Fixed or fluidised bed
- Cells or enzymes are immobilised on a support through which the medium flows.
- Photobioreactors
- For cultures that need light, such as microalgae.
- Temporary immersion
- For plant tissue culture: plants are immersed in the medium at intervals.
- Single-use
- Disposable bags instead of steel tanks, widely used in pharmaceutical production.
Operating modes
Besides the type of equipment, how the culture is fed matters:
- Batch
- All the medium is loaded at the start and harvested at the end.
- Fed-batch
- Nutrients are added during the process to extend growth.
- Continuous
- Fresh medium flows in and culture flows out at the same time, steadily.
- Perfusion
- The medium is renewed while the cells are kept inside the bioreactor.
Bioreactor vs fermenter
In practice the two terms are often used interchangeably. Traditionally, "fermenter" refers to microbial cultures (bacteria and yeasts), while "bioreactor" is the general term that also covers animal and plant cells.
The virtual reality bioreactor simulator
Our simulator reproduces a full-scale bioreactor inside a standalone headset. Users walk around the equipment, get close to every component and practise how it works as often as they need.
It was built for universities, where a bioreactor is expensive and scarce and few students get enough time with it. The same simulator is used to train plant operators and, for a manufacturer, as a sales demo of their equipment at trade shows and customer visits.
Who the bioreactor simulator is for
Universities
Biotechnology, chemical engineering, pharmacy and life sciences degrees.
Lab practicals · Teaching · Practical assessment
Operator training
Pharmaceutical, food and biotech companies that train staff before they touch the real equipment.
Procedures · Start-up · Cleaning and maintenance
Bioreactor manufacturers
Show the equipment at full scale at a trade show or at the customer's office, without shipping it.
Trade shows · Sales visits · Customer training
Why practise with a virtual bioreactor
One bioreactor for a whole group
In virtual reality every student or operator practises with their own equipment, at their own pace.
Every practical uses materials and equipment time
The procedure is repeated without using culture medium or tying up the real bioreactor.
You cannot see inside the tank
The simulator lets you get close to every component and understand how the equipment works.
The equipment does not fit on a stand
The manufacturer carries it in a headset and shows it at full scale anywhere.
Case studies
First you see it. Then we build it.
- 01
On-site demo
We bring the headsets so you can try it first-hand.
- 02
Pilot or prototype
We validate the idea with real users before scaling.
- 03
Development
We build the experience to fit, with PC-grade visuals.
- 04
Rollout and maintenance
We set up the headsets, train your team and keep it running.
FAQ: bioreactors and the simulator
What is a bioreactor?
It is the equipment where cells or microorganisms are grown under controlled temperature, pH, oxygen and agitation to produce biomass, enzymes, vaccines, medicines or other products.
What types of bioreactors are there?
The main ones are stirred tank (the most common), bubble column and airlift, fixed or fluidised bed, photobioreactors, temporary immersion and single-use. They can also run in batch, fed-batch, continuous or perfusion mode.
What is the difference between a bioreactor and a fermenter?
They are often used interchangeably. Traditionally "fermenter" refers to bacterial and yeast cultures, and "bioreactor" is the general term that also covers animal and plant cells.
How do we get the bioreactor simulator?
It is licensed for use on your Meta Quest headsets. We can also adapt it to your equipment or build a simulator of another lab or plant machine.
Can it show a bioreactor we manufacture?
Yes. We reproduce your model from drawings or CAD so your sales team can show it at trade shows and visits. See product visualization.
Keep exploring
We will show you first-hand.
We come to you with the headsets. No commitment.