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Updated: May 8, 2026

A Flexible Low Cost Hydroponic System for Assessing Plant Responses to Small Molecules in Sterile Conditions

A Flexible Low Cost Hydroponic System for Assessing Plant Responses to Small Molecules in Sterile Conditions

Published on: August 25, 2018

A compact, modular and low‑cost hydroponic greenhouse.

Teresa Iucci^1,2, Dren Maliqi³, Sara Sousa Rosa¹

¹Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Gordon Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.

|May 7, 2026

Summary

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A new compact hydroponic greenhouse enables cost-effective plant molecular farming (PMF) for biopharmaceutical production. This accessible, open-source system supports reproducible plant growth in standard labs, advancing early-stage research.

Area of Science:

Biotechnology
Plant Sciences
Biopharmaceutical Production

Background:

Plant Molecular Farming (PMF) offers a cost-effective method for producing biopharmaceuticals.
Existing laboratory-scale cultivation platforms for PMF are limited in scope and accessibility.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a compact, modular hydroponic greenhouse system for supervised plant cultivation in laboratory settings.
To provide an accessible and reproducible platform for early-stage PMF research and upstream process development.

Main Methods:

Design and implementation of a recirculating hydroponic module with rockwool support.
Integration of adjustable LED lighting and continuous environmental parameter monitoring (temperature, humidity).
Validation through four cultivation batches of *Nicotiana benthamiana*.

Keywords:

Controlled-environment agriculture (CEA)Greenhouse Hydroponic system Nicotiana benthamiana Plant molecular farming Sustainable

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Hydroponics: A Versatile System to Study Nutrient Allocation and Plant Responses to Nutrient Availability and Exposure to Toxic Elements

Hydroponics: A Versatile System to Study Nutrient Allocation and Plant Responses to Nutrient Availability and Exposure to Toxic Elements

Published on: July 13, 2016

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Last Updated: May 8, 2026

A Flexible Low Cost Hydroponic System for Assessing Plant Responses to Small Molecules in Sterile Conditions

A Flexible Low Cost Hydroponic System for Assessing Plant Responses to Small Molecules in Sterile Conditions

Published on: August 25, 2018

Hydroponics: A Versatile System to Study Nutrient Allocation and Plant Responses to Nutrient Availability and Exposure to Toxic Elements

Hydroponics: A Versatile System to Study Nutrient Allocation and Plant Responses to Nutrient Availability and Exposure to Toxic Elements

Published on: July 13, 2016

Main Results:

Consistent and physiologically suitable growth conditions were maintained (temperature: 23-25°C, humidity: ~60%).
Uniform light distribution resulted in reproducible plant growth (max height: 23 cm, leaf area: 420 cm², leaf mass: 489 g).
The system demonstrated a low build cost (£781) and a scalable, open-source design.

Conclusions:

The developed hydroponic greenhouse is a viable and accessible platform for laboratory-scale PMF.
This system facilitates reproducible plant growth, supporting early-stage biopharmaceutical research.
The open-source and cost-effective nature promotes wider adoption in PMF research and development.