Facilities

Microbiology and Molecular Biology Laboratories

The microbiology laboratories are designed for culture isolation, media formulation, and strain development work. Specific equipment for anaerobic culturing, including glove boxes and media dispensing manifolds are available, as are equipment for lyophilization and cell banking.

Several walk-in environmental growth chambers are available, with temperatures ranging from -35°C to 60°C. These chambers operate with independent refrigerated/heated airflow. There are also multiple cryogenic storage freezers that operate at -60°C, -80°C, -100°C, and -130°C. The facility also contains three large, general use autoclaves.

MBI’s molecular biology laboratories are well equipped for DNA analyses and cloning from a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Software for molecule design and DNA analyses are available as well as hybridization ovens and cross-linkers for DNA and RNA analyses. Tools for metabolic engineering of organisms include spectrophotometric determination of enzyme kinetics, HPLC detection of metabolites, PCR cyclers, gradient cycler, electroporation, and software to develop pathway models. Protein analyses include SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, and AKTA-HPLC. Centrifuges are available for cell fractionation including microcentrifuges, refrigerated high-speed centrifuges, and ultracentrifuges. MBI has access to the nearby Genomics Technology Support Facility at Michigan State University, which offers DNA fingerprinting, microarray analysis, and quantitative PCR.

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Culture Collection

MBI maintains an extensive culture collection for research, discovery, and development. The culture collection contains several hundred strains, including novel extremophiles from diverse geographical regions, and climatic conditions. Phenotypes represented include thermophiles, acidophiles, alkalophiles, methanogens, psychrophiles, halophiles, sulfate reducers, and non-pathogenic obligate anaerobes.

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Chemistry Laboratories

Chemistry laboratories support a range of organic and polymer syntheses, as well as recovery and purification method development. Specific techniques include gel chromatography, solvent extraction, distillation, crystallization, and evaporation.

In addition, the chemistry laboratories contain a broad range of contemporary analytical instrumentation to fully support pilot plant and research activities in microbiological, molecular biology, chemistry, and materials science. Chromatographic analysis include multiple high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC) systems for protein and small molecule analysis. These systems include isocratic, gradient, affinity, and gel permeation HPLC systems, and GCs with FID, EC, or TC detectors and a GC with a mass selective detector (GC/MS).

Spectroscopic analysis is accomplished with two UV-Vis spectrophotometers and a Fourier Transforming Infra-red spectrophotometer. Also available are specialized analytical equipment such as biochemical analyzers for real time monitoring of glucose levels, a digital imaging and quantitative densitometry system for use with DNA analyses and cloning experiments, and a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and a thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA) for thermal analysis.

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Bench-Scale Fermentation

Bench-scale fermentation capacity for bioprocess development and optimization includes 18 fermentors ranging from 2 – 14 L in size. Fermentors are equipped for automated data acquisition and control of standard parameters including temperature, pH, gas flow, and agitation.

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Pilot Plant

A three-level pilot facility serves the company’s bioprocess scale-up needs for fermentation and downstream processing. Fermentation equipment includes 80 L, 100 L, 150 L, 300 L, 500 L, and three 3,700 L fermentors. Downstream processing capabilities include homogenization, centrifugation, evaporation, micro- and ultra-filtration, and chromatography. A 900 square-foot cold room is also available for storage and processing. Downstream processing equipment is completely mobile allowing for greater flexibility.

Complete process utilities are available throughout the pilot plant, including pressurized air, clean steam, water, purified water, gas, vacuum, and adequate drainage.

MBI utilizes the Opto22 family of control products for control of fermentations and other pilot plant activities. The hardware includes devices for analog and digital inputs/outputs, devices for serial communications, and devices which support other forms of communication. This system enables greater flexibility to achieve any needed configuration.

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Equipment Design & Fabrication

MBI also has its own machine and fabrication shop staffed by experienced crafts people, where specialized equipment and fittings can be manufactured from plastic, iron, aluminum, carbon steel, stainless steel, and various other materials.

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Off-Site Access

Due to its proximity and close working relationship with Michigan State University, MBI International has convenient access to the world class research tools of MSU, such as the Max T. Rogers NMR Facility, MSU Center for Advanced Microscopy, Genomics Technology Support Facility, and the MSU Mass Spectrometry Facility. MBI maintains a working relationship with various vendors to provide specialized capabilities including spray-drying, centrifugation and filtration on an as-needed basis.

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Quality Assurance

MBI’s Quality Assurance Management Plan includes requirements for internal/external auditing, quality control, corrective action, information management, document control and data quality assessment. Each project operates from an approved Quality Assurance Project Plan that includes systematic planning for such activities as data acquisition and analysis, project management, schedules and QA/QC requirements. While not certified, MBI’s Quality Assurance Management Plan is based on ISO 9000 family of principles.

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