Why Jacketed Glass Reactors are Ideal for In Vitro Transcription (IVT) Workflows

Scaling in vitro transcription (IVT) for RNA therapeutics requires more than just standard lab equipment. To achieve high RNA yields, consistent product quality, and reproducible results, scientists working in BioPharma need precise control over critical reaction parameters.

This is where jacketed glass reactors offer significant advantages over traditional single-use setups.

Precise Temperature Control for RNA Synthesis

Temperature stability is essential for IVT reactions. Fluctuations can impact RNA polymerase activity, reduce yield, and compromise product quality.

Jacketed glass reactors connected to a thermoregulator provide tight temperature control across a wide range (–30 °C to +180 °C), ensuring that the entire reaction mixture stays within optimal conditions. By coupling the reactor with a high-performance thermoregulator, scientists can achieve the uniform, stable environment that RNA synthesis demands.

Homogeneous Mixing for Reproducibility

Uniform mixing is another critical factor for successful IVT. Poor mixing can create localised hotspots or concentration gradients, leading to inconsistent results.

Jacketed glass reactors fitted with overhead stirrers deliver efficient, homogeneous mixing throughout the vessel. This ensures that enzymes, nucleotides and templates are evenly distributed, improving reaction kinetics and maximising reproducibility from batch to batch.

Scalable Volumes from R&D to GMP Production

One of the major benefits of jacketed glass reactors is scalability. Radleys’ Reactor-Ready bioreactors can handle volumes from 100 ml up to 35 litres.

This flexibility allows BioPharma teams to use the same reactor design for small-scale development and pilot-scale manufacturing, reducing technology transfer risks and speeding up the scale-up process.

For RNA therapeutics, where effective doses are typically in micrograms rather than milligrams or grams, 35 litres is often sufficient for manufacturing-scale production, making glass reactors a perfect fit.

Easy Cleaning for GMP Compliance

In a regulated environment, cleaning is critical. Glass is chemically inert and resistant to the aggressive cleaning agents commonly used in biopharma (such as sodium hydroxide and phosphoric acid).

Radleys’ Reactor-Ready systems are designed for easy, tool-free disassembly, allowing rapid vessel changeovers or thorough in-situ cleaning. This flexibility helps BioPharma facilities minimise downtime and ensures reactors meet GMP cleaning validation standards.

Real-Time Monitoring for Better Process Control

Glass vessels offer a simple but important advantage: visibility. Scientists can observe the reaction in real time, detecting precipitation, foaming, or other unexpected changes without disturbing the system.

Real-time visual checks help improve process understanding and reduce the risk of batch failure.

Conclusion

Using jacketed glass reactors for IVT provides the precision, control, and flexibility needed to scale RNA production reliably. With tight temperature control, homogeneous mixing, easy scalability, and GMP-friendly cleaning features, Radleys’ Reactor-Ready bioreactors offer BioPharma scientists a proven solution to optimise IVT workflows.