High-throughput screening for improved microbial cell factories, perspective and promise

High-throughput screening is a critical part of any industrial strain engineering effort, helping ensure the lowest cost product is produced in the shortest amount of time. Small-scale testing that correlates to manufacturing scale allows rapid strain development with confidence that engineering changes are relevant at-scale. In this review, the current state of high-throughput screening, the technological advances for the next generation strain screening pipeline, and options for implementation are reviewed. New technologies in cell culture (optofluidics) and measurement (acoustic mist ionization mass spectrometry) are highlighted, and special considerations (i.e. cost models, correlation between scales, data quality) are discussed.