A fed-batch process for the production of L-lysine with Corynebacterium : glutamicum in a stirred tank reactor was developed up to a 150-L Scale applying the general approach of reaction engineering : Experimental optimization of medium composition (13 components : mineral salts and biotin) in parallel shake-flask-experiments using a Genetic Algorithm and the study of L-leucine, ammonia, and phosphate supply in glucose controlled fed-batch fermentations resulted in a volumetric L-lysine productivity of 8.0 mol/(m(3) . h), a L-lysine yield of 32% (mol/mol), and a L-lysine concentration of 500 mM. The glucose concentration was controlled to 50 mM using on-line HPLC and semicontinuous extended Kalman-filter with a minimum variance controller. Nitrogen accumulation of the C. glutamicum cells in the early process phase for subsequent L-lysine formation was identified by means of a reaction engineering analysis. Glucose limitation in the inoculum (1-2 h) results in,growth linked L-lysine production with a differential L-lysine selectivity of 38% (mol/mol)and a maximum cell specific L-lysine production rate of 1.1 mmol/(g . h). L-Lysine was not growth linked produced, if the inoculum was transferred at the exponential state.