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Researchers at the University of Washington have recently developed a bioreactor that can be manufactured in minutes using low-cost chemicals and a 3D printer that allows yeast to survive and live for a few months. If this method can be industrialized, continuous fermentation may replace today's batch processing methods and will bring many advantages.
It uses a custom 3D printer, University of Washington, Dr. AlshakimNelson and his team discovered a new method for fermenting yeast. In addition to making wine, they will soon try to use this method to make other substances, such as proteins and even drugs.
According to The Economist, Dr. Nelson and his team "developed a bioreactor that not only allowed yeast to survive and live for a few months, but also used low-cost chemicals and a few minutes. The 3D printer is manufactured."
3D printing ink
The key to this method is a 3D printed hydrogel lattice structure. Dr. Nelson's team not only developed the hydrogel material itself – 70% water and 30% yeast-infused polymer, but also created a unique 3D printer to extrude the material.
The material is printed in 3D into a thin layer of lattice, and the final structure is a 1 cm3 cube. The UV light then cures the hydrogel structure. The researchers then placed the 3D printed cubes in a glucose solution for fermentation, just as in a brewery installation.
Amazing fermentation
The results show that this yeast-loaded 3D printing bioreactor not only allows glucose to ferment, but its activity can last for a long time. So far, four months have passed, it is still producing ethanol, and there is no sign of stopping. Although Dr. Nelson and his team are not sure what causes this continuous fermentation, they say that the limitations of the hydrogel lattice structure also prevent the regeneration or aging of yeast cells.
The Economist commented that if this method can be industrialized, continuous fermentation may replace today's batch processing methods and will bring many advantages.
Now, Dr. Nelson and his team will focus on expanding the size of hydrogel cubes and trying to use them for protein production. Looking ahead, this approach may also have a positive impact on drug production.
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