Simulation of cell growth, substrate consumption and product formation with recombinant Escherichia coli

The growth of recombinant Escherichia coli, consumption of different amino acids and glucose as well as fusion protein formation are simulated by a structured mathematical model and compared with measurements carried out in a stirred tank reactor under well-controlled conditions. The model parameters were identified based on the variation in cell concentration, particular amino acids, and glucose as well as intracellular products during cultivation. The dependence of the model parameters on cultivation time and culture conditions (temperature, medium composition, dissolved oxygen concentration) are discussed.