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The Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology

Fermentation Facility

The fermentor facility

A fermenter facility has been established in the Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology and is located within Professor Peter Henderson's laboratory (Astbury 6.110). Aerobic culture volumes between 5 - 30 Litres can be grown. The fermenters are currently used for the growth of E.coli but other species of bacteria and yeast will be considered. Additionally, a 100 Litre fermenter is available under certain circumstances.






The fermentor facility

Preparation

Prior to requesting a culture, it is important to have investigated the optimum growth conditions of the organism, for example media type, induction OD and inducer concentration. Ideally a small scale fementer culture (5-10 L) will have been carried out in order to increase suitability for growth on a 30 Litre scale. It is important to note that when moving from flask to fermenter culture, the cell/protein yield may differ.

Requesting a culture

In order to request a culture, please fill in a Culture Request Form and email to d.sharples@leeds.ac.uk . Please answer all sections fully. Any special requirements should be requested on the sheet. Should you have any questions please contact the facility (details below). Once approved by Professor Henderson the culture will be scheduled (subject to a waiting list) and you will be informed of the date the growth will be carried out. IT IS A REQUIREMENT TO SUPPLY A COSHH FORM FOR ANY SHAKER FLASK PROCEDURE BEFORE ANY WORK CAN BE PERFORMED.

The fermentor facility

What to provide

Once your request has been accepted, you will be informed of what you will need to bring to the facility; this would typically be starter culture (used to inoculate the fermenter), media components, inducers and antibiotics. Following the fermenter culture, cells will be ready for collection in the form of a frozen pellet, unless otherwise specified. You will also receive a copy of a brief fermentation report which will include the culture conditions and batch data represented in graphical form.

Cost

The cost of a fermenter run is currently £100. Growth components are to be supplied by you, although common components may be supplied at cost.