A fully online sensor-equipped, disposable multiphase microbioreactor as a screening platform for biotechnological...

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Biochemical Engineering
• Microfluidics

Background:

• High-throughput screening is crucial for biotechnological research.
• Efficient oxygen supply and real-time monitoring are key challenges in microbial cultivation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a new disposable, multiphase microbioreactor (MBR) for high-throughput screening.
• To describe the design, fabrication, sensor integration, and operation of the MBR.
• To demonstrate the MBR's suitability as a screening platform.

Main Methods:

• Design and fabrication of a microbubble column bioreactor (μBC) with a 550 μl working volume.
• Integration of miniaturized online sensors for pH, dissolved oxygen, optical density, and glucose.
• Aerobic cultivation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae using pneumatic bubble aeration.

Main Results:

• The MBR design ensures sufficient oxygen supply (kLa) and broth homogenization.
• Online sensors enabled real-time monitoring of key process variables.
• Batch cultivations demonstrated the robustness and operability of the integrated sensors.

Conclusions:

• The developed MBR is a suitable platform for high-throughput biotechnological screening.
• The integrated online sensors provide reliable real-time data for microbial cultivation.
• This technology facilitates efficient monitoring and optimization of bioprocesses.