Development of bioprocess engineering research - Towards new cell processing engineering from fermentation technology - Monograph

The author summarizes the historical development of his group's research in the field of bioprocess engineering over the last 40 years. Following work in the field of fermentation engineering such as basic studies for the design and operation of aerated agitated tanks for use in microbial processes, the author conducted research to develop simulation methods for various microbial processes to be used for optimizing operational conditions or process control utilizing mechanistic models based on kinetic studies. The direction of the work then shifted to the development of new methods of simulation, not based on kinetic models, but by means of static analysis and knowledge-based approaches such as fuzzy inferencing, artificial neural networks, and expert systems. The findings were brought together to propose a new method of controlling biotechnological processes, named physiological state (PS) control. In the last decade, work has been carried out on the development of animal cell cultivation for the production of physiologically active substances and on tissue engineering for the provision of artificial organs. Some suggestions are presented for the development of "cell-processing engineering", which is essential for a wide range of applications of regenerating medicines.