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.

---

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of bioreactor

First recorded in 1970–75; bio- + reactor

Example Sentences

He showed me a set-up, called a bioreactor, at Imperial College's Bezos Centre for Sustainable Proteins in west London.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2025

The data they gather will inform the construction of a larger, better bioreactor which the scientists will send into space next year, according to Dr Ledesma-Amaro.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2025

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

From Seattle Times • Jan. 21, 2024

Washington State University researchers have developed a minifridge-sized bioreactor that is able to manufacture the cells, called T cells, at 95% of the maximum growth rate -- about 30% faster than current technologies.

From Science Daily • Oct. 26, 2023

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