Inside the Applikon MiniBio.
The MiniBio is a small-volume, autoclavable glass stirred-tank bioreactor — a true scale-down of the classical lab bioreactor, engineered to deliver the same control fidelity in a footprint that fits any bench. It’s the right fit for budget-conscious labs and for groups looking to compress development timelines by running multiple experiments in parallel. Whether you’re characterising a new cell line, screening media formulations or tuning a microbial fermentation, the MiniBio delivers the data you need without the consumables bill of a 10 L run.
Built with Excellence and Experience.
The MiniBio is engineered by Applikon, the worldwide reference in bioprocess instrumentation, with decades of field-proven experience supplying universities, biotech start-ups and biopharmaceutical organisations across the globe. Each vessel is assembled from premium components and finished to the exacting standards that have made Applikon synonymous with reproducible bioprocess data. Resea Biotec is the official Swiss distributor and certified service partner — see below for support details.
Ease of Setup with Advanced Process Control.
The MiniBio carries the most configurable head plate available in any mini bioreactor. Luer fittings give you direct access for sensors, sample lines and pre-assembled tubing — so an experiment can be set up, autoclaved at up to 130 °C and started within minutes. The vessels accept the autoclavable 8 mm sensor format (pH, DO, temperature and optional optical probes) and remain operable at up to 0.5 bar overpressure for both cell-culture and microbial duties.
Process control runs exclusively through Applikon’s my-Control, a touchscreen platform that integrates advanced PAT functionality with full smartphone, tablet and browser access.
Available MiniBio Volumes
The MiniBio range spans three vessel sizes to match every small-scale workflow. Working volumes are continuous from 50 mL through to 1 L.
- 1 MiniBio 250 ml – Working volume 50 – 200 mL
- 2 MiniBio 500 mL — working volume 100–400 mL
- 3 MiniBio 1000 mL — working volume 200–1000 mL
| Attributes | Applikon MiniBio Bioreactor 250 mL | Applikon MiniBio Bioreactor 500 mL | Applikon MiniBio Bioreactor 1000 mL |
|---|---|---|---|
| L1 – Core Physical & Construction | |||
| Volume | 250 mL | 500 mL | 1000 mL |
| Working volume range | 50 –200 mL | 100 – 400 mL | 200 –1000 mL |
| Total volume | 0.290 L | 0.550 L | 1.250 L |
| Footprint | 180 × 240 mm | 210 × 280 mm | 180 × 380 mm |
| Aspect ratio total volume | 2.3 : 1 | 2.1 : 1 | 2.1 : 1 |
| Aspect ratio working volume | 1.6 : 1 | 1.5 : 1 | 1.5 : 1 |
| Heating method | Heating Blanket / Peltier heating | Heating Blanket / Peltier heating | Heating Blanket |
| L2 – System Properties & Process Parameters | |||
| Agitation / mixing speed (rpm) | 0 – 1750 rpm | 0 – 1750 rpm | 0 – 1500 rpm |
| L3 – Functional & System Capabilities | |||
| Number of sensor / condenser ports | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Head plate ports | 16 | 19 | 19 |
| Scale transfer support | Yes | Yes / Interchangeable with Single-Use | Yes |
| Cell Type | Cell Culture and Microbial |
| Technology Platform | Multi-Use |
| Wall Type | Single Wall |
| Material | Glass |
| Autoclavable | Yes |
| Max operating temperature | 60 °C |
| SIP / CIP capability | No |
| Max sterilization temperature | 130 °C |
| Max operating pressure | 0.5 bar |
| Drive system | Lipsealed |
| Impeller types | Marine / Rushton |
| Gas sparger types | Porous sparger / Open pipe sparger / Jet sparger |
| Compatible motor types | Stepper motor M02.2 |
| Cooling method | Optional Water cooling |
| Motor torque | 0.24 Nm |
| Impeller Power no. Np | 1.5 / 2 x 6 |
| Supported sensor types | Autoclavable 8 mm sensors / External sensor options |
| Sampling port | Fixed sample pipe / Height adjustable sample pipe |
| Harvest port | Height adjustable drain pipe |
| Geometric similarity maintained | Yes |
| GMP-ready configuration available | Yes |
| Platform scalability range | 250 mL – 1000 mL |
| IQ/OQ/PQ support | Yes |
| Recommended service interval | 12 months |
| Warranty period | 12 months |
| Lead time | Approx. 9 – 12 weeks |
| Validation documentation available | Yes |
Screening & Optimization
Screening & Optimization is the primary use case for the MiniBio. With working volumes from 50 mL to 1,000 mL and the ability to run up to 8 reactors simultaneously via the my-Control Multi-Reactor-Interface, the MiniBio enables true parallel experimentation — systematically evaluating cell lines, media formulations, feeding strategies, and process parameters in a single run, without multiplying bench space or material costs.
Research & Process Development
The MiniBio gives researchers reliable, reproducible data at the smallest possible scale. Its configurable head plate, support for autoclavable 8 mm sensors, and compatibility with the BioSep perfusion device allow complex early-stage process development — including continuous cultivation — at a fraction of the cost and footprint of larger lab-scale systems.
Scale-Up
The MiniBio is the entry point of the Applikon scale-up pathway. Geometric similarity and interchangeability with Single-Use bioreactor systems provide direct and predictable process transfer from mL scale to the Glass Autoclavable Bioreactor, BioBench, BioPilot, and beyond — making scale-up simpler and more data-driven from the earliest stage.
Compatible Bioreactor types
- Applikon Autoclavable Glass Bioreactor The Applikon Autoclavable Glass Bioreactor is a stirred tank bioreactor designed…
- Applikon BioPilot Stainless Steel Bioreactor The Applikon BioPilot is a stainless steel bioreactor system for simple and reli…
- Applikon BioBench Stainless Steel Bioreactor The Applikon BioBench is a stainless steel bioreactor system designed for simple…
- AppliFlex ST Single-Use Bioreactor The Applikon AppliFlex ST is a fully customizable single-use stirred tank biorea…
Compatible Perfusion Devices
Mammalian Cells
Mammalian cells have become the linchpin in the production of recombinant glycoproteins such as hormones, enzymes, cytokines, and antibodies, all of which play pivotal roles in human therapy.
Learn MoreStem Cells
Stem cells represent a pioneering achievement in biomedical research and therapy, offering unprecedented opportunities for regenerative medicine, including tissue engineering and the treatment of various diseases.
Learn MoreMicrobials
In the field of industrial microbiology, the cultivation of microorganisms through bioreactor fermentation stands as a cornerstone technique for producing a broad spectrum of microbial products, from antibiotics, biofuels to food and beverages
Learn MorePlant Cells and Algae
At the forefront of sustainable biotechnology, the cultivation of plant cells and algae within bioreactors presents a revolutionary approach to producing valuable biochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and biofuels
Learn MoreInsect Cells
In the rapidly evolving landscape of biotechnology, the Baculovirus Expression Vector System (BEVS) with insect cells stands out as a versatile and powerful tool for protein production.
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Cellular Agriculture
Cellular agriculture represents a groundbreaking shift in food production, centering around the concept of cellular food solutions. This innovative field harnesses biotechnology to cultivate animal and plant cells for food, directly in a controlled environment, bypassing traditional farming methods.
Learn MoreBiotherapeutics
Discover biologicals, where innovation meets healthcare to revolutionize treatment methodologies and patient care. Biotherapeutics include a broad range of biologically derived products, such as monoclonal antibodies (mABs), viral vectors, and vaccines, each playing a pivotal role in targeted disease treatment and prevention.
Learn MoreCell and Gene Therapy
Cell and gene therapy is revolutionizing modern medicine. For the safe development and manufacturing of these therapies, Resea Biotec bioreactors provide the ideal controlled environment, guaranteeing precision, scalability, and efficiency in the production process.
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Applikon MiniBio Bioreactor – Engineering excellence in Bioprocessing.
Applikon MiniBio — Small-volume multi-use bioreactor to minimise media costs
Generate more data in less time
The Applikon MiniBio is built for teams that need answers fast and at sensible cost. A compact footprint and a redesigned autoclave stand mean a vessel moves from clean bench to active cultivation in a fraction of the time of larger lab-scale systems — temperature control and condenser are already integrated into the stand, so there’s no separate water bath to plumb in. Pre-assembled tubing kits and an intuitive sensor layout keep handling time short even when running multiple vessels at once.
The real shift comes from running in parallel. Through the Multi-Reactor-Interface in Applikon’s my-Control software, a single operator orchestrates up to eight MiniBio reactors simultaneously from one console. Replicates, DoE matrices and head-to-head media screens that would otherwise consume a week of sequential bench work now finish in a single working day — same operator, same bench, eight times the data. Each station can be visually identified by colour, keeping parallel experiments organised even on a crowded lab bench.
For research teams under deadline pressure or budget constraints, the impact compounds week on week: shorter decision cycles, leaner media spend per data point, and a cleaner path from screening into scale-up.
Flexible cultivation modes for every process
The MiniBio supports all four standard cultivation modes — Batch, Fed-Batch, Perfusion and Continuous — covering the full range of small-scale bioprocessing needs. Combined with the Applikon BioSep cell-retention device, the MiniBio converts cleanly from a batch or fed-batch system into a fully continuous bioprocessing platform, opening up high-density perfusion process modes at the smallest possible scale. Microbial fermentation, mammalian cell culture, stem-cell expansion and plant-cell systems are all covered within the same vessel platform.
Hardware flexibility is what makes that range usable in practice. The configurable head plate accepts Marine and Rushton impellers, paired with porous, open-pipe or jet spargers — so a sensitive mammalian-cell run and a high-shear microbial fermentation can share the same vessel platform without compromise.
Every cultivation mode is fully supported by Applikon’s my-Control software, with adaptive PID control, gravimetric feed control, optical dissolved oxygen, biomass measurement and off-gas analysis, plus plug-and-play support for a wide range of intelligent sensors. Operate the system from any device via the integrated web browser, and store distinct configurations per process so the next experiment is one click away from a validated setup.
What is the MiniBio workflow?
The MiniBio workflow covers the full small-scale bioprocess on a single platform, breaking into three phases.
Screen. Run replicates or DoE matrices across up to 8 vessels in parallel via the my-Control Multi-Reactor-Interface — narrowing strain, clone or media candidates fast.
Characterise. Drill into the leading conditions with full closed-loop control of pH, DO, temperature and feed strategy, generating the kinetic data your tech-transfer pack will need.
Transfer. Lock the protocol at the MiniBio scale that matches your downstream geometry — 250, 500 or 1000 mL — before stepping up to a Glass Autoclavable Bioreactor, BioBench, BioPilot or AppliFlex ST single-use system. Geometric similarity is maintained throughout, so process parameters stay consistent at every stage.
Why use the MiniBio?
- Up to 8 reactors in parallel — generate a week’s worth of data in a single day via the my-Control Multi-Reactor-Interface, with adaptive PID and gravimetric feed control across every vessel.
- All four cultivation modes — Batch, Fed-Batch, Perfusion and Continuous on a single hardware platform. Add a BioSep perfusion device to convert any run to continuous bioprocessing without changing reactors.
- Direct Applikon scale-up path — process parameters transfer cleanly to Glass STR, BioBench, BioPilot and Single-Use AppliFlex ST. Geometric similarity holds throughout, so kinetic data stays consistent from MiniBio to production scale.
- Swiss support, single point of contact — sales, IQ/OQ documentation and ongoing service through Resea Biotec in Recherswil. One contact for technical questions, spares and Applikon Academy training.
Ready to spec your MiniBio?
The MiniBio gives you a true scale-down of a full lab bioreactor in 250, 500 or 1000 mL — the most configurable head plate in its class, all four cultivation modes on one platform, plug-and-play intelligent sensors, and up to eight reactors running in parallel under a single my-Control interface. Pair it with a BioSep and any batch run becomes a continuous bioprocess without changing reactors. Process parameters you lock at MiniBio scale transfer cleanly upward through the Applikon family, all the way to pilot and production.
Send us the outline of your process — organism, working volume, cultivation mode, sensors you need — and we’ll come back with a configured quote, a realistic lead time, and the IQ/OQ scope where required. Resea Biotec is your Swiss point of contact for Applikon: one team in Recherswil, sales through service, no cross-border ticket queues.
