The importance of automation in bioprocessing is highlighted from seve
ral points of view, namely under scientific, practical and routine asp
ects. Valuable opportunities opened by automation are shown and some r
equirements for realization of a robust automated system are discussed
; some potential pit-falls are addressed. A standard operating procedu
re useful for bioprocess development and routine operation is proposed
. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.