bioreactor

American  

[bahy-oh-ree-ak-ter] / ˌbaɪ oʊ riˈæk tər /

noun

1. Biotechnology. a fermentation vat for the production of living organisms, as bacteria or yeast, used in industrial processes such as waste recycling or in the manufacture of drugs or other products.

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bioreactor Scientific  

/ bī′ō-rē-ăk′tər /

1. An apparatus, such as a large fermentation chamber, for growing organisms such as bacteria or yeast under controlled conditions. Bioreactors are used in the biotechnological production of substances such as pharmaceuticals, antibodies, or vaccines, or for the bioconversion of organic waste.

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Etymology

Origin of bioreactor

First recorded in 1970–75; bio- + reactor

Example Sentences

One system, a 100 liter bioreactor nicknamed "Shrek," is currently used to process industrial flue gas as part of efforts to reduce air pollution.

From Science Daily • May 12, 2026

They then added the new cells to this scaffold and placed it in a bioreactor - a special container that pumps vital growth fluids through the tissue - to grow and mature for a week.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

The team placed the cells in a specialized bioreactor that allowed them to apply controlled electrical stimulation and observe the biological effects.

From Science Daily • Oct. 30, 2025

Washington State University is developing a new bioreactor designed to grow T-cells that help kill cancer.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 21, 2024

There are also concerns about the biological limitations of growing large numbers of various cell types in the same bioreactor.

From Salon • Jun. 28, 2023