Abstract: A bioreactor outlet air conditioning system (10) has a bioreactor vessel (100) and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has a fluid flow path (196) from a headspace (108) in the vessel for venting air from the vessel, and a temperature control element (300) in thermal contact with the fluid flow path (196). The fluid flow path (196) may be defined by a disposable portion of the bioreactor vessel (100). A method of controlling evaporation within a bioreactor vessel (100), dependent on the required evaporation rate, adjusts the temperature of the temperature control element (300) to control the rate of evaporation of the liquid media (106) from the vessel (100), and may include monitoring fluids in the fluid flow path (196) to detect at least water content of the fluids exiting the vessel to adjust the temperature and control the rate of evaporation dependent on the detected water content levels.

Abstract: A bioreactor consumable unit (50; 500) comprises a bioreactor part (60); a fluid feed container part (80) integrally connected with the bioreactor part and including at least one fluid feed container (82) in fluid communication with the bioreactor (60); and an integral pumping element (100, 110; 160, 206) configured to enable fluid to flow from the at least one fluid feed container (82) to the bioreactor (60). The bioreactor part (60) includes a bioreactor chamber (62) and a stirrer (64) for agitation of a cell culture (66) in the chamber. The pumping element comprises a combination of a syringe pump (110) and an associated three-way valve (102). The bioreactor consumable unit (50; 500) may be inserted into a receiving station (20) of a cell culture module (10) for the processing and control of a bioreaction in the bioreactor chamber (62).

Abstract: A scraper for scraping live cells from a substrate. The scraper comprises a magnetic core and an elastomeric housing surrounding at least a portion of the magnetic core and defining at least one scraping blade. A method of scraping and a system for scraping are also provided.

Abstract: An infra-red analysis system is provided for analysing samples disposed in transparent or translucent containers. The system comprises: an infra-red light source; a container locating device for locating a container in a known position relative to the infra-red light source, a spectrometer disposed to receive infra-red light from the containers, means for reading the identity of a container, means for transmitting spectra recorded by the spectrometer to a database, means for recording the spectra and the identity of the container in the database in a record; and means for comparing spectra recorded by the spectrometer with a previously recorded spectrum for the same container.