Keywords

cell-free protein synthesis, CFPS, TxTl, bioreactor

Abstract

Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) has transformed protein production capabilities by eliminating cellular constraints, enabling the rapid expression of difficult-to-produce proteins in an open, customizable environment. As CFPS applications expand from fundamental research to industrial production, therapeutic manufacturing, and point-of-care diagnostics, the diverse array of reactor formats has become increasingly important yet challenging to navigate. This review examines the evolution and characteristics of thirteen major CFPS reactor formats, from traditional batch systems to advanced platforms. The historical development of CFPS reactors from the 1960s to present day is presented. Additionally, for each format, operational principles, advantages, limitations, and notable applications are evaluated. The review concludes with a comparative assessment of reactor performance across critical parameters, including productivity, scalability, technical complexity, environmental stability, and application suitability. To our knowledge this structured analysis is the first to focus predominantly on the various reactor formats of cell-free systems and to provide a guide to assist researchers in choosing the reactor type that best fits their specific applications.

Original Publication Citation

Chipman, D. M., Woolley, A. C., Chau, D. N., Lance, W. A., Talley, J. P., Green, T. P., Robbins, B. C., & Bundy, B. C. (2025). Cell-Free Protein Synthesis Reactor Formats: A Brief History and Analysis. SynBio, 3(3), 10. https://doi.org/10.3390/synbio3030010

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2025-07-01

Publisher

SynBio

Language

English

College

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering

Department

Chemical Engineering

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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