APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY

**Definition:** This place covers:

Apparatus or devices specially adapted to the fermentation or to the growth of microorganisms, animal or plant cells or tissues, i.e. bioreactors and fermenters. The apparatus or devices covered by this subclass are designed for producing biomass or artificial tissues in laboratory or industrial scale.

The most simple bioreactor or fermenter is an apparatus comprising at least a container where the microorganisms or cells are placed and which is put under conditions that make it suitable for the culturing of the microorganisms or cells.

This subclass covers also devices for the pre-treatment of the material to be treated in the apparatus and for the after-treatment of the biomass, cells or tissues grown in the apparatus.

This subclass does not cover the methods or processes taking place in bioreactors which are not based on the use of the apparatus or its parts.

In this subclass the term microorganism includes prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Viruses, human, animal or plant cells, protozoa and unicellular algae are considered microorganisms.

**Limiting references (this place does not cover):** - Apparatus for culturing plant tissue -> A01H4/001 - Apparatus for preservation of excised living parts of the human or animal body -> A01N1/142 - Chemical or physical processes in general. Chemical or physical laboratory apparatus for general use. Investigating or analysing biological material -> B01J , B01L , G01N33/48 - Apparatus or devices for DNA or RNA technology -> B01L7/52 , B01J19/0046 , C12N15/1003 - Apparatus for the biological treatment of water, waste water, sewage or sludge -> C02F3/00 , C02F11/00 - Apparatus for preparing fertilisers characterised by the composting step -> C05F17/90 - Apparatus for beer brewing -> C12C - Apparatus for production of wine or vinegar -> C12G , C12J1/10 - Fermentation processes -> C12P - Apparatus for bioleaching of ores -> C22B3/18 - Removing non-cellulose substances from cellulose-containing materials -> D21C - Investigating individual particles -> G01N15/10 - Investigating or analysing the degree of sterilisation of non-bioligical materials using chemical indicators -> G01N31/226 - Testing or evaluating the effect of a chemical or biological compound involving human or animal cells -> G01N33/5005 - Investigating or analysing biological material by immunoassay -> G01N33/5302 - Automatic analysis -> G01N35/00

**Glossary:** - Bioreactor: Apparatus comprising at least a container where the microorganisms or cells are placed and which is put under conditions that make it suitable for the culturing of the microorganisms or cells. - Fermenter: Term used for bioreactors for culturing bacteria or yeast with the purpose of obtaining their metabolic or fermentation products