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Suarez GD, Bayer S, Tang YYK, Suarez DA, Cheung PPH, Nagl S. Rapid microfluidics prototyping through variotherm desktop injection molding for multiplex diagnostics. Lab Chip 2023; 23:3850-3861. [PMID: 37534874 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00391d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we demonstrate an inexpensive method of prototyping microfluidics using a desktop injection molding machine. A centrifugal microfluidic device with a novel central filling mechanism was developed to demonstrate the technique. We overcame the limitations of desktop machines in replicating microfluidic features by variotherm heating and cooling the mold between 50 °C and 110 °C within two minutes. Variotherm heating enabled good replication of microfeatures, with a coefficient of variation averaging only 3.6% attained for the measured widths of 100 μm wide molded channels. Using this methodology, we produced functional polystyrene centrifugal microfluidic chips, capable of aliquoting fluids into 5.0 μL reaction chambers with 97.5% accuracy. We performed allele-specific loop-mediated isothermal amplification (AS-LAMP) reactions for genotyping CYP2C19 alleles on these chips. Readouts were generated using optical pH sensors integrated onto chips, by drop-casting sensor precursor solutions into reaction chambers before final chip assembly. Positive reactions could be discerned by decreases in pH sensor fluorescence, thresholded against negative control reactions lacking the primers for nucleic acid amplification and with time-to-results averaging 38 minutes. Variotherm desktop injection molding can enable researchers to prototype microfluidic devices more cost-effectively, in an iterative fashion, due to reduced costs of smaller, in-house molds. Designs prototyped this way can be directly translated to mass production, enhancing their commercialization potential and positive impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianmarco D Suarez
- Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
| | - Steevanson Bayer
- Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
| | - Yuki Yu Kiu Tang
- Quommni Technologies Limited, Tsuen Wan, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | | | - Peter Pak-Hang Cheung
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
| | - Stefan Nagl
- Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
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2
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Lai G, Yu J, Wang J, Li W, Liu G, Wang Z, Guo M, Tang Y. Machine learning methods for predicting the key metabolic parameters of Halomonas elongata DSM 2581 T. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023:10.1007/s00253-023-12633-x. [PMID: 37421474 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12633-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Ectoine is generally produced by the fermentation process of Halomonas elongata DSM 2581 T, which is one of the primary industrial ectoine production techniques. To effectively monitor and control the fermentation process, the important parameters require accurate real-time measurement. However, for ectoine fermentation, three critical parameters (cell optical density, glucose, and product concentration) cannot be measured conveniently in real-time due to time variation, strong coupling, and other constraints. As a result, our work effectively created a series of hybrid models to predict the values of these three parameters incorporating both fermentation kinetics and machine learning approaches. Compared with the traditional machine learning models, our models solve the problem of insufficient data which is common in fermentation. In addition, a simple kinetic modeling is only applicable to specific physical conditions, so different physical conditions require refitting the function, which is tedious to operate. However, our models also overcome this limitation. In this work, we compared different hybrid models based on 5 feature engineering methods, 11 machine-learning approaches, and 2 kinetic models. The best models for predicting three key parameters, respectively, are as follows: CORR-Ensemble (R2: 0.983 ± 0.0, RMSE: 0.086 ± 0.0, MAE: 0.07 ± 0.0), SBE-Ensemble (R2: 0.972 ± 0.0, RMSE: 0.127 ± 0.0, MAE: 0.078 ± 0.0), and SBE-Ensemble (R2:0.98 ± 0.0, RMSE: 0.023 ± 0.001, MAE: 0.018 ± 0.001). To verify the universality and stability of constructed models, we have done an experimental verification, and its results showed that our proposed models have excellent performance. KEY POINTS: • Using the kinetic models for producing simulated data • Through different feature engineering methods for dimension reduction • Creating a series of hybrid models to predict the values of three parameters in the fermentation process of Halomonas elongata DSM 2581 T.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanxue Lai
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Junxiong Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering for Energy Resources, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Weihua Li
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Guixia Liu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Zejian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China.
| | - Meijin Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China.
| | - Yun Tang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China.
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Medl M, Rajamanickam V, Striedner G, Newton J. Development and Validation of an Artificial Neural-Network-Based Optical Density Soft Sensor for a High-Throughput Fermentation System. Processes (Basel) 2023; 11:297. [DOI: 10.3390/pr11010297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Optical density (OD) is a critical process parameter during fermentation, this being directly related to cell density, which provides valuable information regarding the state of the process. However, to measure OD, sampling of the fermentation broth is required. This is particularly challenging for high-throughput-microbioreactor (HT-MBR) systems, which require robotic liquid-handling (LiHa) systems for process control tasks, such as pH regulation or carbon feed additions. Bioreactor volume is limited and automated at-line sampling occupies the resources of LiHa systems; this affects their ability to carry out the aforementioned pipetting operations. Minimizing the number of physical OD measurements is therefore of significant interest. However, fewer measurements also result in less process information. This resource conflict has previously represented a challenge. We present an artificial neural-network-based soft sensor developed for the real-time estimation of the OD in an MBR system. This sensor was able to estimate the OD to a high degree of accuracy (>95%), even without informative process variables stemming from, e.g., off-gas analysis only available at larger scales. Furthermore, we investigated and demonstrated scaling of the soft sensor’s generalization capabilities with the data from different antibody fragments expressing Escherichia coli strains. This study contributes to accelerated biopharmaceutical process development.
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Berg C, Ihling N, Finger M, Paquet-Durand O, Hitzmann B, Büchs J. Online 2D Fluorescence Monitoring in Microtiter Plates Allows Prediction of Cultivation Parameters and Considerable Reduction in Sampling Efforts for Parallel Cultivations of Hansenula polymorpha. Bioengineering (Basel) 2022; 9:438. [PMID: 36134983 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9090438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Multi-wavelength (2D) fluorescence spectroscopy represents an important step towards exploiting the monitoring potential of microtiter plates (MTPs) during early-stage bioprocess development. In combination with multivariate data analysis (MVDA), important process information can be obtained, while repetitive, cost-intensive sample analytics can be reduced. This study provides a comprehensive experimental dataset of online and offline measurements for batch cultures of Hansenula polymorpha. In the first step, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to assess spectral data quality. Secondly, partial least-squares (PLS) regression models were generated, based on spectral data of two cultivation conditions and offline samples for glycerol, cell dry weight, and pH value. Thereby, the time-wise resolution increased 12-fold compared to the offline sampling interval of 6 h. The PLS models were validated using offline samples of a shorter sampling interval. Very good model transferability was shown during the PLS model application to the spectral data of cultures with six varying initial cultivation conditions. For all the predicted variables, a relative root-mean-square error (RMSE) below 6% was obtained. Based on the findings, the initial experimental strategy was re-evaluated and a more practical approach with minimised sampling effort and elevated experimental throughput was proposed. In conclusion, the study underlines the high potential of multi-wavelength (2D) fluorescence spectroscopy and provides an evaluation workflow for PLS modelling in microtiter plates.
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Viebrock K, Rabl D, Meinen S, Wunder P, Meyer JA, Frey LJ, Rasch D, Dietzel A, Mayr T, Krull R. Microsensor in Microbioreactors: Full Bioprocess Characterization in a Novel Capillary-Wave Microbioreactor. Biosensors 2022; 12:bios12070512. [PMID: 35884315 PMCID: PMC9312480 DOI: 10.3390/bios12070512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Microbioreactors (MBRs) with a volume below 1 mL are promising alternatives to established cultivation platforms such as shake flasks, lab-scale bioreactors and microtiter plates. Their main advantages are simple automatization and parallelization and the saving of expensive media components and test substances. These advantages are particularly pronounced in small-scale MBRs with a volume below 10 µL. However, most described small-scale MBRs are lacking in process information from integrated sensors due to limited space and sensor technology. Therefore, a novel capillary-wave microbioreactor (cwMBR) with a volume of only 7 µL has the potential to close this gap, as it combines a small volume with integrated sensors for biomass, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO) and glucose concentration. In the cwMBR, pH and DO are measured by established luminescent optical sensors on the bottom of the cwMBR. The novel glucose sensor is based on a modified oxygen sensor, which measures the oxygen uptake of glucose oxidase (GOx) in the presence of glucose up to a concentration of 15 mM. Furthermore, absorbance measurement allows biomass determination. The optical sensors enabled the characterization of an Escherichia coli batch cultivation over 8 h in the cwMBR as proof of concept for further bioprocesses. Hence, the cwMBR with integrated optical sensors has the potential for a wide range of microscale bioprocesses, including cell-based assays, screening applications and process development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Viebrock
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; (K.V.); (P.W.); (J.-A.M.); (L.J.F.); (D.R.)
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; (S.M.); (A.D.)
| | - Dominik Rabl
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Technische Universität Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (D.R.); (T.M.)
| | - Sven Meinen
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; (S.M.); (A.D.)
- Institute of Microtechnology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Paul Wunder
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; (K.V.); (P.W.); (J.-A.M.); (L.J.F.); (D.R.)
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; (S.M.); (A.D.)
| | - Jan-Angelus Meyer
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; (K.V.); (P.W.); (J.-A.M.); (L.J.F.); (D.R.)
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; (S.M.); (A.D.)
| | - Lasse Jannis Frey
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; (K.V.); (P.W.); (J.-A.M.); (L.J.F.); (D.R.)
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; (S.M.); (A.D.)
| | - Detlev Rasch
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; (K.V.); (P.W.); (J.-A.M.); (L.J.F.); (D.R.)
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; (S.M.); (A.D.)
| | - Andreas Dietzel
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; (S.M.); (A.D.)
- Institute of Microtechnology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Torsten Mayr
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Technische Universität Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (D.R.); (T.M.)
| | - Rainer Krull
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; (K.V.); (P.W.); (J.-A.M.); (L.J.F.); (D.R.)
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; (S.M.); (A.D.)
- Correspondence:
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Hong MS, Braatz RD. Mechanistic modeling and parameter-adaptive nonlinear model predictive control of a microbioreactor. Comput Chem Eng 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.compchemeng.2021.107255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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7
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Abstract
We present the first digital microfluidic (DMF) antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) using an optical oxygen sensor film for in-situ and real-time continuous measurement of extracellular dissolved oxygen (DO). The device allows one to monitor bacterial growth across the entire cell culture area, and the fabricated device was utilized for a miniaturized and automated AST. The oxygen-sensitive probe platinum(II)-5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl)-porphyrin was embedded in a Hyflon AD 60 polymer and spin-coated as a 100 nm thick layer onto an ITO glass serving as the DMF ground electrode. This DMF-integrated oxygen sensing film was found to cause no negative effects to the droplet manipulation or cell growth on the chip. The developed DMF platform was used to monitor the DO consumption during Escherichia coli (E. coli) growth caused by cellular respiration. A rapid and reliable twofold dilution procedure was developed and performed, and the AST with E. coli ATCC 25922 in the presence of ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline at different concentrations from 0.5 to 8 μg mL-1 was investigated. All sample dispensation, dilution, and mixing were performed automatically on the chip within 10 min. The minimum inhibitory concentration values measured from the DMF chip were consistent with those from the standard broth microdilution method but requiring only minimal sample handling and working with much smaller sample volumes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Qiu
- Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Stefan Nagl
- Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Marroquín-Fandiño JE, Ramírez-Acosta CM, Luna-Wandurraga HJ, Valderrama-Rincón JA, Cruz JC, Reyes LH, Valderrama-Rincon JD. Novel external-loop-airlift milliliter scale bioreactors for cell growth studies: Low cost design, CFD analysis and experimental characterization. J Biotechnol 2020; 324:71-82. [PMID: 32991936 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2020.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Many researchers have limited access to fully equipped laboratory-scale batch bioreactors and chemostats due to their relatively high cost. This becomes particularly prohibitive when multiple replicas of the same experiment are required, but not enough bioreactors are available to operate simultaneously. Additionally, experiments using shaken flasks are common but show significant limitations in terms of maintaining homogeneous conditions in liquid cultures or installing instrumentation for monitoring. Here, we proposed to tackle this significant hurdle by providing a route to make available the manufacture of low-cost, milliliter-scale bioreactors. This approach seems plausible for enabling proof-of-concept experiments before moving to a larger scale without significant investments. The conceptually designed systems were based on external-loop bioreactors due to their flexibility, simplicity, and ease of assembling and testing. Designs were initially evaluated in silico with the aid of COMSOL Multiphysics. The successfully evaluated systems were then constructed via additive manufacturing and assembled for hydrodynamics testing via tracer methods. This was enabled by a newly home-made optical absorbance sensor (OAS) for in-line and real-time measurements. Both the in silico and experimental results indicated close to ideal mixing conditions and low shear stress. Cell growth curves were prepared by culturing Escherichia coli and following its cell density in real-time. Our cell growth rate and maximum cell density were similar to those previously obtained in closely related systems. Therefore, the proposed bioreactors are an affordable alternative for batch and continuous cell growth studies rapidly and inexpensively.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carlos Manuel Ramírez-Acosta
- Grupo de Diseño de Productos y Procesos (GDPP), Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, 110311, Colombia
| | | | | | - Juan C Cruz
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, 110311, Colombia
| | - Luis H Reyes
- Grupo de Diseño de Productos y Procesos (GDPP), Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, 110311, Colombia
| | - Juan D Valderrama-Rincon
- Grupo GRESIA, Department of Environmental Engineering, Universidad Antonio Nariño, Bogotá, 110231, Colombia.
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Achinas S, Heins JI, Krooneman J, Euverink GJW. Miniaturization and 3D Printing of Bioreactors: A Technological Mini Review. Micromachines (Basel) 2020; 11:mi11090853. [PMID: 32937842 PMCID: PMC7570152 DOI: 10.3390/mi11090853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Many articles have been published on scale-down concepts as well as additive manufacturing techniques. However, information is scarce when miniaturization and 3D printing are applied in the fabrication of bioreactor systems. Therefore, garnering information for the interfaces between miniaturization and 3D printing becomes important and essential. The first goal is to examine the miniaturization aspects concerning bioreactor screening systems. The second goal is to review successful modalities of 3D printing and its applications in bioreactor manufacturing. This paper intends to provide information on anaerobic digestion process intensification by fusion of miniaturization technique and 3D printing technology. In particular, it gives a perspective on the challenges of 3D printing and the options of miniature bioreactor systems for process high-throughput screening.
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Frey LJ, Vorländer D, Rasch D, Meinen S, Müller B, Mayr T, Dietzel A, Grosch JH, Krull R. Defining mass transfer in a capillary wave micro-bioreactor for dose-response and other cell-based assays. Biochem Eng J 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2020.107667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Ho CMB, Sun Q, Teo AJT, Wibowo D, Gao Y, Zhou J, Huang Y, Tan SH, Zhao CX. Development of a Microfluidic Droplet-Based Microbioreactor for Microbial Cultivation. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:3630-3637. [DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c00292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Chee Meng Benjamin Ho
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Qi Sun
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Adrian J. T. Teo
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - David Wibowo
- Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Yongsheng Gao
- School of Engineering, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Jun Zhou
- School of Information and Communication Technology, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Yanyi Huang
- Department of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, College of Engineering, Peking University, 100084 Beijing, China
| | - Say Hwa Tan
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Chun-Xia Zhao
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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Totaro D, Rothbauer M, Steiger MG, Mayr T, Wang HY, Lin YS, Sauer M, Altvater M, Ertl P, Mattanovich D. Downscaling screening cultures in a multifunctional bioreactor array-on-a-chip for speeding up optimization of yeast-based lactic acid bioproduction. Biotechnol Bioeng 2020; 117:2046-2057. [PMID: 32190900 PMCID: PMC7317386 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
A key challenge for bioprocess engineering is the identification of the optimum process conditions for the production of biochemical and biopharmaceutical compounds using prokaryotic as well as eukaryotic cell factories. Shake flasks and bench-scale bioreactor systems are still the golden standard in the early stage of bioprocess development, though they are known to be expensive, time-consuming, and labor-intensive as well as lacking the throughput for efficient production optimizations. To bridge the technological gap between bioprocess optimization and upscaling, we have developed a microfluidic bioreactor array to reduce time and costs, and to increase throughput compared with traditional lab-scale culture strategies. We present a multifunctional microfluidic device containing 12 individual bioreactors (Vt = 15 µl) in a 26 mm × 76 mm area with in-line biosensing of dissolved oxygen and biomass concentration. Following initial device characterization, the bioreactor lab-on-a-chip was used in a proof-of-principle study to identify the most productive cell line for lactic acid production out of two engineered yeast strains, evaluating whether it could reduce the time needed for collecting meaningful data compared with shake flasks cultures. Results of the study showed significant difference in the strains' productivity within 3 hr of operation exhibiting a 4- to 6-fold higher lactic acid production, thus pointing at the potential of microfluidic technology as effective screening tool for fast and parallelizable industrial bioprocess development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damiano Totaro
- ACIB GmbH, Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria.,Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mario Rothbauer
- Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias G Steiger
- ACIB GmbH, Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria.,Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Torsten Mayr
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | - Hsiang-Yu Wang
- Department of Engineering and System Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Sheng Lin
- Department of Engineering and System Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Michael Sauer
- ACIB GmbH, Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Altvater
- ACIB GmbH, Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Ertl
- Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Diethard Mattanovich
- ACIB GmbH, Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
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Soares MCP, Vit FF, Suzuki CK, de la Torre LG, Fujiwara E. Perfusion Microfermentor Integrated into a Fiber Optic Quasi-Elastic Light Scattering Sensor for Fast Screening of Microbial Growth Parameters. Sensors (Basel) 2019; 19:s19112493. [PMID: 31159228 PMCID: PMC6603560 DOI: 10.3390/s19112493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 05/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This research presents a microfermentor integrated into an optical fiber sensor based on quasi-elastic light scattering (QELS) to monitor and swiftly identify cellular growth kinetic parameters. The system uses a 1310 nm laser light that is guided through single-mode silica optical fibers to the interior of perfusion chambers, which are separated by polycarbonate membranes (470 nm pores) from microchannels, where a culture medium flows in a constant concentration. The system contains four layers, a superior and an inferior layer made of glass, and two intermediate poly(dimethylsiloxane) layers that contain the microchannels and the perfusion chambers, forming a reversible microfluidic device that requires only the sealing of the fibers to the inferior glass cover. The QELS autocorrelation decay rates of the optical signals were correlated to the cells counting in a microscope, and the application of this microsystem to the monitoring of alcoholic fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae resulted in the kinetic parameters of KM = 4.1 g/L and μm = 0.49 h−1. These results agree with both the data reported in the literature and with the control batch test, showing that it is a reliable and efficient biological monitoring system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco César Prado Soares
- Laboratory of Photonic Materials and Devices, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Campinas, São Paulo 13083-860, Brazil.
| | - Franciele Flores Vit
- Laboratory of Advanced Development of Nano and Biotechnology, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Campinas, São Paulo 13083-852, Brazil.
| | - Carlos Kenichi Suzuki
- Laboratory of Photonic Materials and Devices, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Campinas, São Paulo 13083-860, Brazil.
| | - Lucimara Gaziola de la Torre
- Laboratory of Advanced Development of Nano and Biotechnology, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Campinas, São Paulo 13083-852, Brazil.
| | - Eric Fujiwara
- Laboratory of Photonic Materials and Devices, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Campinas, São Paulo 13083-860, Brazil.
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14
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Frey LJ, Vorländer D, Rasch D, Ostsieker H, Müller B, Schulze M, Schenkendorf R, Mayr T, Grosch JH, Krull R. Novel electrodynamic oscillation technique enables enhanced mass transfer and mixing for cultivation in micro-bioreactor. Biotechnol Prog 2019; 35:e2827. [PMID: 31021498 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.2827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Micro-bioreactors (MBRs) have become an indispensable part for modern bioprocess development enabling automated experiments in parallel while reducing material cost. Novel developments aim to further intensify the advantages as dimensions are being reduced. However, one factor hindering the scale-down of cultivation systems is to provide adequate mixing and mass transfer. Here, vertical oscillation is demonstrated as an effective method for mixing of MBRs with a reaction volume of 20 μL providing adequate mass transfer. Electrodynamic exciters are used to transduce kinetic energy onto the cultivation broth avoiding additional moving parts inside the applied model MBR. The induced vertical vibration leads to oscillation of the liquid surface corresponding to the frequency and displacement. On this basis, the resonance frequency of the fluid was identified as the most decisive factor for mixing performance. Applying this vertical oscillation method outstanding mixing times below 1 s and exceptionally high oxygen transport with volumetric mass transfer coefficients (kL a) above 1,000/hr can be successfully achieved and controlled. To evaluate the applicability of this vertical oscillation mixing for low volume MBR systems, cultivations of Escherichia coli BL21 as proof-of-concept were performed. The dissolved oxygen was successfully online monitored to assure any avoidance of oxygen limitations during the cultivation. The here presented data illustrate the high potential of the vertical oscillation technique as a flexible measure to adapt mixing times and oxygen transfer according to experimental demands. Thus, the mixing technique is a promising tool for various biological and chemical micro-scale applications still enabling adequate mass transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lasse J Frey
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.,Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - David Vorländer
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.,Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Detlev Rasch
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.,Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Hendrik Ostsieker
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.,Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Bernhard Müller
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Graz University of Technologies, Graz, Austria
| | - Moritz Schulze
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.,Institute of Energy and Process Systems Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - René Schenkendorf
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.,Institute of Energy and Process Systems Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Torsten Mayr
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Graz University of Technologies, Graz, Austria
| | - Jan-Hendrik Grosch
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.,Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Rainer Krull
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.,Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
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15
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Rivera KR, Yokus MA, Erb PD, Pozdin VA, Daniele M. Measuring and regulating oxygen levels in microphysiological systems: design, material, and sensor considerations. Analyst 2019; 144:3190-3215. [PMID: 30968094 PMCID: PMC6564678 DOI: 10.1039/c8an02201a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
As microfabrication techniques and tissue engineering methods improve, microphysiological systems (MPS) are being engineered that recapitulate complex physiological and pathophysiological states to supplement and challenge traditional animal models. Although MPS provide unique microenvironments that transcend common 2D cell culture, without proper regulation of oxygen content, MPS often fail to provide the biomimetic environment necessary to activate and investigate fundamental pathways of cellular metabolism and sub-cellular level. Oxygen exists in the human body in various concentrations and partial pressures; moreover, it fluctuates dramatically depending on fasting, exercise, and sleep patterns. Regulating oxygen content inside MPS necessitates a sensitive biological sensor to quantify oxygen content in real-time. Measuring oxygen in a microdevice is a non-trivial requirement for studies focused on understanding how oxygen impacts cellular processes, including angiogenesis and tumorigenesis. Quantifying oxygen inside a microdevice can be achieved via an array of technologies, with each method having benefits and limitations in terms of sensitivity, limits of detection, and invasiveness that must be considered and optimized. This article will review oxygen physiology in organ systems and offer comparisons of organ-specific MPS that do and do not consider oxygen microenvironments. Materials used in microphysiological models will also be analyzed in terms of their ability to control oxygen. Finally, oxygen sensor technologies are critically compared and evaluated for use in MPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina R Rivera
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 911 Oval Dr., Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
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16
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Meinen S, Frey LJ, Krull R, Dietzel A. Resonant Mixing in Glass Bowl Microbioreactor Investigated by Microparticle Image Velocimetry. Micromachines (Basel) 2019; 10:mi10050284. [PMID: 31035561 PMCID: PMC6562785 DOI: 10.3390/mi10050284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Microbioreactors are gaining increased interest in biopharmaceutical research. Due to their decreasing size, the parallelization of multiple reactors allows for simultaneous experiments. This enables the generation of high amounts of valuable data with minimal consumption of precious pharmaceutical substances. However, in bioreactors of all scales, fast mixing represents a crucial condition. Efficient transportation of nutrients to the cells ensures good growing conditions, homogeneous environmental conditions for all cultivated cells, and therefore reproducible and valid data. For these reasons, a new type of batch microbioreactor was developed in which any moving mixer component is rendered obsolete through the utilization of capillary surface waves for homogenization. The bioreactor was fabricated in photosensitive glass and its fluid volume of up to 8 µL was provided within a bowl-shaped volume. External mechanical actuators excited capillary surface waves and stereo microparticle image velocimetry (µPIV) was used to analyze resulting convection at different excitation conditions in varied reactor geometries. Typical vortex patterns were observed at certain resonance frequencies where best mixing conditions occurred. Based on the results, a simplified 1D model which predicts resonance frequencies was evaluated. Cultivation of Escherichia coli BL21 under various mixing conditions showed that mixing in resonance increased the biomass growth rate, led to high biomass concentrations, and provided favorable growth conditions. Since glass slides containing multiple bowl reactors can be excited as a whole, massive parallelization is foreseen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Meinen
- Institute of Microtechnology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany.
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Lasse Jannis Frey
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Rainer Krull
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Andreas Dietzel
- Institute of Microtechnology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany.
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
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17
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Maldonado SL, Krull J, Rasch D, Panjan P, Sesay AM, Marques MPC, Szita N, Krull R. Application of a multiphase microreactor chemostat for the determination of reaction kinetics of Staphylococcus carnosus. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 2019; 42:953-961. [PMID: 30810809 DOI: 10.1007/s00449-019-02095-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/17/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Bioreactors at the microliter scale offer a promising approach to accelerate bioprocess development. Advantages of such microbioreactors include a reduction in the use of expensive reagents. In this study, a chemostat operation mode of a cuvette-based microbubble column bioreactor made of polystyrene (working volume of 550 µL) was demonstrated. Aeration occurs through a nozzle (Ø ≤ 100 µm) and supports submerged whole-cell cultivation of Staphylococcus carnosus. Stationary concentrations of biomass and glucose were determined in the dilution rate regime ranging from 0.12 to 0.80 1/h with a glucose feed concentration of 1 g/L. For the first time, reaction kinetics of S. carnosus were estimated from data obtained from continuous cultivation. The maximal specific growth rate (µmax = 0.824 1/h), Monod constant (KS = 34 × 10- 3gS/L), substrate-related biomass yield coefficient (YX/S = 0.315 gCDW/gS), and maintenance coefficient (mS = 0.0035 gS/(gCDW·h)) were determined. These parameters are now available for further studies in the field of synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Lladó Maldonado
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany.,Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - J Krull
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany.,Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - D Rasch
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany.,Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - P Panjan
- Measurement Technology Unit, CEMIS-Oulu, Kajaani University Consortium, University of Oulu, Kajaani, Finland
| | - A M Sesay
- Measurement Technology Unit, CEMIS-Oulu, Kajaani University Consortium, University of Oulu, Kajaani, Finland
| | - M P C Marques
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - N Szita
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - R Krull
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany. .,Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.
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18
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Chan LCZ, Khalili Moghaddam G, Wang Z, Lowe CR. Miniaturized pH Holographic Sensors for the Monitoring of Lactobacillus casei Shirota Growth in a Microfluidic Chip. ACS Sens 2019; 4:456-463. [PMID: 30644723 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.8b01470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Bioreactors have been used both to develop new, and to improve bioprocess yields for, biopharmaceutical products. However, efforts to miniaturize bioreactors, in order to save costs and accelerate process development times, have been limited by the lack of on-site monitoring capabilities available at such scales. In this study, small volume (3 nL) nonconsumptive holographic sensors were integrated into a glass-PDMS microfluidic chip to monitor via a blue-shift in the resultant holographic replay wavelength, the change in pH during microbial growth of Lactobacillus casei ( L. casei) Shirota. Within the optimal growth pH range of L. casei, the accuracy of the miniaturized pH sensors was comparable to that of a conventional pH meter. Conceivably, this approach could be extrapolated to an array of miniaturized holographic sensors sensitive to different analytes, and thereby paving the way for reliable, real-time, noninvasive monitoring of microorganisms in a nanobioreactor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon C. Z. Chan
- Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), A*STAR, 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, Singapore 138634
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QT, United Kingdom
| | - Gita Khalili Moghaddam
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QT, United Kingdom
| | - Zhiping Wang
- Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), A*STAR, 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, Singapore 138634
| | - Christopher R. Lowe
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QT, United Kingdom
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19
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Affiliation(s)
- R. C. Prado
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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20
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Lladó Maldonado S, Panjan P, Sun S, Rasch D, Sesay AM, Mayr T, Krull R. A fully online sensor-equipped, disposable multiphase microbioreactor as a screening platform for biotechnological applications. Biotechnol Bioeng 2018; 116:65-75. [DOI: 10.1002/bit.26831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Lladó Maldonado
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig; Braunschweig Germany
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig; Braunschweig Germany
| | - Peter Panjan
- Unit of Measurement Technologies, University of Oulu; Kajaani Finland
| | - Shiwen Sun
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Graz University of Technology; Graz Austria
| | - Detlev Rasch
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig; Braunschweig Germany
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig; Braunschweig Germany
| | - Adama M. Sesay
- Unit of Measurement Technologies, University of Oulu; Kajaani Finland
| | - Torsten Mayr
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Graz University of Technology; Graz Austria
| | - Rainer Krull
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig; Braunschweig Germany
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig; Braunschweig Germany
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21
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Lladó Maldonado S, Rasch D, Kasjanow A, Bouwes D, Krühne U, Krull R. Multiphase microreactors with intensification of oxygen mass transfer rate and mixing performance for bioprocess development. Biochem Eng J 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2018.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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22
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Mandenius CF. Conceptual Design of Micro-Bioreactors and Organ-on-Chips for Studies of Cell Cultures. Bioengineering (Basel) 2018; 5:E56. [PMID: 30029542 PMCID: PMC6164921 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering5030056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Engineering design of microbioreactors (MBRs) and organ-on-chip (OoC) devices can take advantage of established design science theory, in which systematic evaluation of functional concepts and user requirements are analyzed. This is commonly referred to as a conceptual design. This review article compares how common conceptual design principles are applicable to MBR and OoC devices. The complexity of this design, which is exemplified by MBRs for scaled-down cell cultures in bioprocess development and drug testing in OoCs for heart and eye, is discussed and compared with previous design solutions of MBRs and OoCs, from the perspective of how similarities in understanding design from functionality and user purpose perspectives can more efficiently be exploited. The review can serve as a guideline and help the future design of MBR and OoC devices for cell culture studies.
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23
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Nagy K, Ábrahám Á, Keymer JE, Galajda P. Application of Microfluidics in Experimental Ecology: The Importance of Being Spatial. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:496. [PMID: 29616009 PMCID: PMC5870036 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Microfluidics is an emerging technology that is used more and more in biology experiments. Its capabilities of creating precisely controlled conditions in cellular dimensions make it ideal to explore cell-cell and cell-environment interactions. Thus, a wide spectrum of problems in microbial ecology can be studied using engineered microbial habitats. Moreover, artificial microfluidic ecosystems can serve as model systems to test ecology theories and principles that apply on a higher level in the hierarchy of biological organization. In this mini review we aim to demonstrate the versatility of microfluidics and the diversity of its applications that help the advance of microbiology, and in more general, experimental ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krisztina Nagy
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Ábrahám
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Multidisciplinary Medical Science, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Juan E. Keymer
- School of Biological Sciences and School of Physics, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Péter Galajda
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
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24
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P Radhakrishnan AN, Marques MPC, Davies MJ, O'Sullivan B, Bracewell DG, Szita N. Flocculation on a chip: a novel screening approach to determine floc growth rates and select flocculating agents. Lab Chip 2018; 18:585-594. [PMID: 29345271 DOI: 10.1039/c7lc00793k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Flocculation is a key purification step in cell-based processes for the food and pharmaceutical industry where the removal of cells and cellular debris is aided by adding flocculating agents. However, finding the best suited flocculating agent and optimal conditions to achieve rapid and effective flocculation is a non-trivial task. In conventional analytical systems, turbulent mixing creates a dynamic equilibrium between floc growth and breakage, constraining the determination of floc formation rates. Furthermore, these systems typically rely on end-point measurements only. We have successfully developed for the first time a microfluidic system for the study of flocculation under well controlled conditions. In our microfluidic device (μFLOC), floc sizes and growth rates were monitored in real time using high-speed imaging and computational image analysis. The on-line and in situ detection allowed quantification of floc sizes and their growth kinetics. This eliminated the issues of sample handling, sample dispersion, and end-point measurements. We demonstrated the power of this approach by quantifying the growth rates of floc formation under forty different growth conditions by varying industrially relevant flocculating agents (pDADMAC, PEI, PEG), their concentration and dosage. Growth rates between 12.2 μm s-1 for a strongly cationic flocculant (pDADMAC) and 0.6 μm s-1 for a non-ionic flocculant (PEG) were observed, demonstrating the potential to rank flocculating conditions in a quantitative way. We have therefore created a screening tool to efficiently compare flocculating agents and rapidly find the best flocculating condition, which will significantly accelerate early bioprocess development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand N P Radhakrishnan
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AH, UK.
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25
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Abstract
The quantification of key variables such as oxygen, pH, carbon dioxide, glucose, and temperature provides essential information for biological and biotechnological applications and their development. Microfluidic devices offer an opportunity to accelerate research and development in these areas due to their small scale, and the fine control over the microenvironment, provided that these key variables can be measured. Optical sensors are well-suited for this task. They offer non-invasive and non-destructive monitoring of the mentioned variables, and the establishment of time-course profiles without the need for sampling from the microfluidic devices. They can also be implemented in larger systems, facilitating cross-scale comparison of analytical data. This tutorial review presents an overview of the optical sensors and their technology, with a view to support current and potential new users in microfluidics and biotechnology in the implementation of such sensors. It introduces the benefits and challenges of sensor integration, including, their application for microbioreactors. Sensor formats, integration methods, device bonding options, and monitoring options are explained. Luminescent sensors for oxygen, pH, carbon dioxide, glucose and temperature are showcased. Areas where further development is needed are highlighted with the intent to guide future development efforts towards analytes for which reliable, stable, or easily integrated detection methods are not yet available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia Gruber
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT, London, UK.
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26
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Nagl S. Micro free-flow isoelectric focusing with integrated optical pH sensors. Eng Life Sci 2017; 18:114-123. [PMID: 32624893 DOI: 10.1002/elsc.201700035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, a new observation method for monitoring of pH gradients in microfluidic free-flow electrophoresis has emerged. It is based on the use of chip-integrated fluorescent or luminescent micro sensor layers. These are able to monitor pH gradients in miniaturized separations in real time and spatially resolved; this is particularly useful in isoelectric focusing. Here these multifunctional microdevices that feature continuous separation, monitoring, and in some instances other functionalities, are reviewed. The employed microfabrication procedures to produce these devices are discussed and the different pH sensor matrices that were integrated and their applications in the separation of different types of biomolecules. The procedures for obtaining spatially resolved information about the separated molecules and the pH at the same time and different detection modalities to achieve this such as deep UV fluorescence as well as time-resolved referenced pH sensing and the integration of a precolumn labeling step into these platforms are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Nagl
- Department of Chemistry The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Kowloon Hong Kong SAR P. R. China
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27
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Rafiq QA, Hanga MP, Heathman TRJ, Coopman K, Nienow AW, Williams DJ, Hewitt CJ. Process development of human multipotent stromal cell microcarrier culture using an automated high-throughput microbioreactor. Biotechnol Bioeng 2017. [PMID: 28627713 PMCID: PMC5615370 DOI: 10.1002/bit.26359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Microbioreactors play a critical role in process development as they reduce reagent requirements and can facilitate high-throughput screening of process parameters and culture conditions. Here, we have demonstrated and explained in detail, for the first time, the amenability of the automated ambr15 cell culture microbioreactor system for the development of scalable adherent human mesenchymal multipotent stromal/stem cell (hMSC) microcarrier culture processes. This was achieved by first improving suspension and mixing of the microcarriers and then improving cell attachment thereby reducing the initial growth lag phase. The latter was achieved by using only 50% of the final working volume of medium for the first 24 h and using an intermittent agitation strategy. These changes resulted in >150% increase in viable cell density after 24 h compared to the original process (no agitation for 24 h and 100% working volume). Using the same methodology as in the ambr15, similar improvements were obtained with larger scale spinner flask studies. Finally, this improved bioprocess methodology based on a serum-based medium was applied to a serum-free process in the ambr15, resulting in >250% increase in yield compared to the serum-based process. At both scales, the agitation used during culture was the minimum required for microcarrier suspension, NJS . The use of the ambr15, with its improved control compared to the spinner flask, reduced the coefficient of variation on viable cell density in the serum containing medium from 7.65% to 4.08%, and the switch to serum free further reduced these to 1.06-0.54%, respectively. The combination of both serum-free and automated processing improved the reproducibility more than 10-fold compared to the serum-based, manual spinner flask process. The findings of this study demonstrate that the ambr15 microbioreactor is an effective tool for bioprocess development of hMSC microcarrier cultures and that a combination of serum-free medium, control, and automation improves both process yield and consistency. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 2253-2266. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qasim A Rafiq
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Gower Street, London, United Kingdom.,Aston Medical Research Institute, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, United Kingdom.,Centre for Biological Engineering, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, United Kingdom
| | - Mariana P Hanga
- Aston Medical Research Institute, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, United Kingdom.,Centre for Biological Engineering, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas R J Heathman
- Centre for Biological Engineering, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, United Kingdom.,PCT, A Hitachi Group Company, Allendale, New Jersey
| | - Karen Coopman
- Centre for Biological Engineering, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, United Kingdom
| | - Alvin W Nienow
- Aston Medical Research Institute, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, United Kingdom.,Centre for Biological Engineering, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, United Kingdom.,School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - David J Williams
- Centre for Biological Engineering, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J Hewitt
- Aston Medical Research Institute, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, United Kingdom.,Centre for Biological Engineering, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, United Kingdom
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28
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Gruber P, Marques MP, Sulzer P, Wohlgemuth R, Mayr T, Baganz F, Szita N. Real-time pH monitoring of industrially relevant enzymatic reactions in a microfluidic side-entry reactor (μSER) shows potential for pH control. Biotechnol J 2017; 12. [DOI: 10.1002/biot.201600475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Pia Gruber
- Department of Biochemical Engineering; University College London; Gordon Street London UK
| | - Marco P.C. Marques
- Department of Biochemical Engineering; University College London; Gordon Street London UK
| | - Philipp Sulzer
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Food Chemistry; Graz University of Technology; Graz Austria
| | - Roland Wohlgemuth
- Member of Merck Group; Sigma-Aldrich; Member of Merck Group; Buchs Switzerland
| | - Torsten Mayr
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Food Chemistry; Graz University of Technology; Graz Austria
| | - Frank Baganz
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Food Chemistry; Graz University of Technology; Graz Austria
| | - Nicolas Szita
- Department of Biochemical Engineering; University College London; Gordon Street London UK
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Jacques P, Béchet M, Bigan M, Caly D, Chataigné G, Coutte F, Flahaut C, Heuson E, Leclère V, Lecouturier D, Phalip V, Ravallec R, Dhulster P, Froidevaux R. High-throughput strategies for the discovery and engineering of enzymes for biocatalysis. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 2017; 40:161-80. [DOI: 10.1007/s00449-016-1690-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Abstract
Oxygen is essential in the energy metabolism of cells, as well as being an important regulatory parameter influencing cell differentiation and function. Interest in precise oxygen control for in vitro cultures of tissues and cells continues to grow, especially with the emergence of the organ-on-a-chip and the desire to emulate in vivo conditions. This was recently discussed in this journal in a Critical Review by Brennan et al. (Lab Chip (2014). DOI: ). Microfluidics can be used to introduce flow to facilitate nutrient supply to and waste removal from in vitro culture systems. Well-defined oxygen gradients can also be established. However, cells can quickly alter the oxygen balance in their vicinity. In this Tutorial Review, we expand on the Brennan paper to focus on the implementation of oxygen analysis in these systems to achieve continuous monitoring. Both electrochemical and optical approaches for the integration of oxygen monitoring in microfluidic tissue and cell culture systems will be discussed. Differences in oxygen requirements from one organ to the next are a challenging problem, as oxygen delivery is limited by its uptake into medium. Hence, we discuss the factors determining oxygen concentrations in solutions and consider the possible use of artificial oxygen carriers to increase dissolved oxygen concentrations. The selection of device material for applications requiring precise oxygen control is discussed in detail, focusing on oxygen permeability. Lastly, a variety of devices is presented, showing the diversity of approaches that can be employed to control and monitor oxygen concentrations in in vitro experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieter E Oomen
- Pharmaceutical Analysis, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1 (XB20), 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Kirk TV, Marques MPC, Radhakrishnan ANP, Szita N. Quantification of the oxygen uptake rate in a dissolved oxygen controlled oscillating jet-driven microbioreactor. J Chem Technol Biotechnol 2016; 91:823-831. [PMID: 27478291 PMCID: PMC4950047 DOI: 10.1002/jctb.4833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Revised: 09/10/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microbioreactors have emerged as a new tool for early bioprocess development. The technology has advanced rapidly in the last decade and obtaining real-time quantitative data of process variables is nowadays state of the art. In addition, control over process variables has also been achieved. The aim of this study was to build a microbioreactor capable of controlling dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations and to determine oxygen uptake rate in real time. RESULTS An oscillating jet driven, membrane-aerated microbioreactor was developed without comprising any moving parts. Mixing times of ∼7 s, and kLa values of ∼170 h-1 were achieved. DO control was achieved by varying the duty cycle of a solenoid microvalve, which changed the gas mixture in the reactor incubator chamber. The microbioreactor supported Saccharomyces cerevisiae growth over 30 h and cell densities of 6.7 gdcw L-1. Oxygen uptake rates of ∼34 mmol L-1 h-1 were achieved. CONCLUSION The results highlight the potential of DO-controlled microbioreactors to obtain real-time information on oxygen uptake rate, and by extension on cellular metabolism for a variety of cell types over a broad range of processing conditions. © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy V Kirk
- Department of Biochemical EngineeringUniversity College LondonBernard Katz Building, Gordon StreetLondon WC1H 0AHUK
| | - Marco PC Marques
- Department of Biochemical EngineeringUniversity College LondonBernard Katz Building, Gordon StreetLondon WC1H 0AHUK
| | | | - Nicolas Szita
- Department of Biochemical EngineeringUniversity College LondonBernard Katz Building, Gordon StreetLondon WC1H 0AHUK
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Poehler E, Pfeiffer SA, Herm M, Gaebler M, Busse B, Nagl S. Microchamber arrays with an integrated long luminescence lifetime pH sensor. Anal Bioanal Chem 2015; 408:2927-35. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-015-9178-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2015] [Revised: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 11/06/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Westerwalbesloh C, Grünberger A, Stute B, Weber S, Wiechert W, Kohlheyer D, von Lieres E. Modeling and CFD simulation of nutrient distribution in picoliter bioreactors for bacterial growth studies on single-cell level. Lab Chip 2015; 15:4177-4186. [PMID: 26345659 DOI: 10.1039/c5lc00646e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
A microfluidic device for microbial single-cell cultivation of bacteria was modeled and simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics. The liquid velocity field and the mass transfer within the supply channels and cultivation chambers were calculated to gain insight in the distribution of supplied nutrients and metabolic products secreted by the cultivated bacteria. The goal was to identify potential substrate limitations or product accumulations within the cultivation device. The metabolic uptake and production rates, colony size, and growth medium composition were varied covering a wide range of operating conditions. Simulations with glucose as substrate did not show limitations within the typically used concentration range, but for alternative substrates limitations could not be ruled out. This lays the foundation for further studies and the optimization of existing picoliter bioreactor systems.
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Bonk SM, Stubbe M, Buehler SM, Tautorat C, Baumann W, Klinkenberg ED, Gimsa J. Design and Characterization of a Sensorized Microfluidic Cell-Culture System with Electro-Thermal Micro-Pumps and Sensors for Cell Adhesion, Oxygen, and pH on a Glass Chip. Biosensors (Basel) 2015; 5:513-36. [PMID: 26263849 PMCID: PMC4600170 DOI: 10.3390/bios5030513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Revised: 07/15/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
We combined a multi-sensor glass-chip with a microfluidic channel grid for the characterization of cellular behavior. The grid was imprinted in poly-dimethyl-siloxane. Mouse-embryonal/fetal calvaria fibroblasts (MC3T3-E1) were used as a model system. Thin-film platinum (Pt) sensors for respiration (amperometric oxygen electrode), acidification (potentiometric pH electrodes) and cell adhesion (interdigitated-electrodes structures, IDES) allowed us to monitor cell-physiological parameters as well as the cell-spreading behavior. Two on-chip electro-thermal micro-pumps (ETμPs) permitted the induction of medium flow in the system, e.g., for medium mixing and drug delivery. The glass-wafer technology ensured the microscopic observability of the on-chip cell culture. Connecting Pt structures were passivated by a 1.2 μm layer of silicon nitride (Si3N4). Thin Si3N4 layers (20 nm or 60 nm) were used as the sensitive material of the pH electrodes. These electrodes showed a linear behavior in the pH range from 4 to 9, with a sensitivity of up to 39 mV per pH step. The oxygen sensors were circular Pt electrodes with a sensor area of 78.5 μm(2). Their sensitivity was 100 pA per 1% oxygen increase in the range from 0% to 21% oxygen (air saturated). Two different IDES geometries with 30- and 50-μm finger spacings showed comparable sensitivities in detecting the proliferation rate of MC3T3 cells. These cells were cultured for 11 days in vitro to test the biocompatibility, microfluidics and electric sensors of our system under standard laboratory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian M Bonk
- Chair for Biophysics, Department of Biology, University of Rostock, Gertrudenstr. 11a, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
| | - Marco Stubbe
- Chair for Biophysics, Department of Biology, University of Rostock, Gertrudenstr. 11a, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
| | - Sebastian M Buehler
- Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology, Institute of Muscle Biology and Growth, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany.
| | - Carsten Tautorat
- Chair for Biophysics, Department of Biology, University of Rostock, Gertrudenstr. 11a, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
| | - Werner Baumann
- Chair for Biophysics, Department of Biology, University of Rostock, Gertrudenstr. 11a, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
| | | | - Jan Gimsa
- Chair for Biophysics, Department of Biology, University of Rostock, Gertrudenstr. 11a, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
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Husain AR, Hadad Y, Zainal Alam MNH. Development of Low-Cost Microcontroller-Based Interface for Data Acquisition and Control of Microbioreactor Operation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 21:660-70. [PMID: 26185253 DOI: 10.1177/2211068215594770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
This article presents the development of a low-cost microcontroller-based interface for a microbioreactor operation. An Arduino MEGA 2560 board with 54 digital input/outputs, including 15 pulse-width-modulation outputs, has been chosen to perform the acquisition and control of the microbioreactor. The microbioreactor (volume = 800 µL) was made of poly(dimethylsiloxane) and poly(methylmethacrylate) polymers. The reactor was built to be equipped with sensors and actuators for the control of reactor temperature and the mixing speed. The article discusses the circuit of the microcontroller-based platform, describes the signal conditioning steps, and evaluates the capacity of the proposed low-cost microcontroller-based interface in terms of control accuracy and system responses. It is demonstrated that the proposed microcontroller-based platform is able to operate parallel microbioreactor operation with satisfactory performances. Control accuracy at a deviation less than 5% of the set-point values and responses in the range of few seconds have been recorded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Rashid Husain
- Department of Control and Mechatronic Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
| | - Yaser Hadad
- Department of Control and Mechatronic Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
| | - Muhd Nazrul Hisham Zainal Alam
- Process Systems Engineering Centre, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
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Abstract
The recent trend toward use of disposable and miniature bioreactors requires the use of appropriate sensors. pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) are often measured using optical chemical sensors due to their small form factor and convenience in use. These sensors are often interrogated using a specialized opto-electronic transducer that is designed around the optical sensor. In this contribution, we are presenting a new class of opto-electronic transducers that are usable with several different chemical sensors without the need to switch the optics or hardware when changing the type of the chemical sensor. This allows flexibility closer to the lab-grade devices while the size is closer to a dedicated sensor. This versatile instrumentation is capable of seamlessly switching between the pH and DO measurement modes and is capable of auto recognition of the sensor type. The principle of ratiometric fluorescence is used for pH measurements, and that of fluorescence lifetime for DO measurements. An approach to obtain identical calibrations between several devices is also presented. The described hardware constitutes common instrumentation for measuring either pH or DO and has been tested in actual bioprocesses. It has been found adequate for continuous bioprocess monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Sardesai
- Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, Maryland 21250, USA
| | - Govind Rao
- Center for Advanced Sensor Technology and Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, Maryland 21250, USA
| | - Yordan Kostov
- Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, Maryland 21250, USA
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Carugo D, Owen J, Crake C, Lee JY, Stride E. Biologically and Acoustically Compatible Chamber for Studying Ultrasound-Mediated Delivery of Therapeutic Compounds. Ultrasound Med Biol 2015; 41:1927-37. [PMID: 25922133 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2015.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Revised: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2015] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound (US), in combination with microbubbles, has been found to be a potential alternative to viral therapies for transfecting biological cells. The translation of this technique to the clinical environment, however, requires robust and systematic optimization of the acoustic parameters needed to achieve a desired therapeutic effect. Currently, a variety of different devices have been developed to transfect cells in vitro, resulting in a lack of standardized experimental conditions and difficulty in comparing results from different laboratories. To overcome this limitation, we propose an easy-to-fabricate and cost-effective device for application in US-mediated delivery of therapeutic compounds. It comprises a commercially available cell culture dish coupled with a silicon-based "lid" developed in-house that enables the device to be immersed in a water bath for US exposure. Described here are the design of the device, characterization of the sound field and fluid dynamics inside the chamber and an example protocol for a therapeutic delivery experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Carugo
- Department of Engineering Science, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Joshua Owen
- Department of Engineering Science, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Calum Crake
- Department of Engineering Science, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jeong Yu Lee
- Department of Engineering Science, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Eleanor Stride
- Department of Engineering Science, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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Pfeiffer SA, Nagl S. Microfluidic platforms employing integrated fluorescent or luminescent chemical sensors: a review of methods, scope and applications. Methods Appl Fluoresc 2015; 3:034003. [DOI: 10.1088/2050-6120/3/3/034003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Kim HD, Yi SJ, Kim KC. Photo-bleaching characteristics of oxygen-sensitive particles. J Vis (Tokyo) 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s12650-014-0244-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Herzog C, Beckert E, Nagl S. Rapid Isoelectric Point Determination in a Miniaturized Preparative Separation Using Jet-Dispensed Optical pH Sensors and Micro Free-Flow Electrophoresis. Anal Chem 2014; 86:9533-9. [DOI: 10.1021/ac501783r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Christin Herzog
- Institut
für Analytische Chemie, Universität Leipzig, Linnéstrasse
3, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Erik Beckert
- Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Optik und Feinmechanik (IOF), Albert-Einstein-Strasse 7, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Stefan Nagl
- Institut
für Analytische Chemie, Universität Leipzig, Linnéstrasse
3, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Chatterjee M, Ge X, Uplekar S, Kostov Y, Croucher L, Pilli M, Rao G. A unique noninvasive approach to monitoring dissolved O2and CO2in cell culture. Biotechnol Bioeng 2014; 112:104-10. [DOI: 10.1002/bit.25348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Revised: 07/07/2014] [Accepted: 07/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Madhubanti Chatterjee
- Center for Advanced Sensor Technology; Department of Chemical; Biochemical and Environmental Engineering; University of Maryland; Baltimore County; 1000 Hilltop Circle Baltimore Maryland 21250
| | - Xudong Ge
- Center for Advanced Sensor Technology; Department of Chemical; Biochemical and Environmental Engineering; University of Maryland; Baltimore County; 1000 Hilltop Circle Baltimore Maryland 21250
| | - Shaunak Uplekar
- Center for Advanced Sensor Technology; Department of Chemical; Biochemical and Environmental Engineering; University of Maryland; Baltimore County; 1000 Hilltop Circle Baltimore Maryland 21250
| | - Yordan Kostov
- Center for Advanced Sensor Technology; Department of Chemical; Biochemical and Environmental Engineering; University of Maryland; Baltimore County; 1000 Hilltop Circle Baltimore Maryland 21250
| | - Leah Croucher
- Center for Advanced Sensor Technology; Department of Chemical; Biochemical and Environmental Engineering; University of Maryland; Baltimore County; 1000 Hilltop Circle Baltimore Maryland 21250
| | - Manohar Pilli
- Center for Advanced Sensor Technology; Department of Chemical; Biochemical and Environmental Engineering; University of Maryland; Baltimore County; 1000 Hilltop Circle Baltimore Maryland 21250
| | - Govind Rao
- Center for Advanced Sensor Technology; Department of Chemical; Biochemical and Environmental Engineering; University of Maryland; Baltimore County; 1000 Hilltop Circle Baltimore Maryland 21250
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Kunze M, Lattermann C, Diederichs S, Kroutil W, Büchs J. Minireactor-based high-throughput temperature profiling for the optimization of microbial and enzymatic processes. J Biol Eng 2014; 8:22. [PMID: 25126113 DOI: 10.1186/1754-1611-8-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Bioprocesses depend on a number of different operating parameters and temperature is one of the most important ones. Unfortunately, systems for rapid determination of temperature dependent reaction kinetics are rare. Obviously, there is a need for a high-throughput screening procedure of temperature dependent process behavior. Even though, well equipped micro-bioreactors are a promising approach sufficient temperature control is quite challenging and rather complex. Results In this work a unique system is presented combining an optical on-line monitoring device with a customized temperature control unit for 96 well microtiter plates. By exposing microtiter plates to specific temperature profiles, high-throughput temperature optimization for microbial and enzymatic systems in a micro-scale of 200 μL is realized. For single well resolved temperature measurement fluorescence thermometry was used, combining the fluorescent dyes Rhodamin B and Rhodamin 110. The real time monitoring of the microbial and enzymatic reactions provides extensive data output. To evaluate this novel system the temperature optima for Escherichia coli and Kluyveromyces lactis regarding growth and recombinant protein production were determined. Furthermore, the commercial cellulase mixture Celluclast as a representative for enzymes was investigated applying a fluorescent activity assay. Conclusion Microtiter plate-based high-throughput temperature profiling is a convenient tool for characterizing temperature dependent reaction processes. It allows the evaluation of numerous conditions, e.g. microorganisms, enzymes, media, and others, in a short time. The simple temperature control combined with a commercial on-line monitoring device makes it a user friendly system.
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Peterat G, Schmolke H, Lorenz T, Llobera A, Rasch D, Al-Halhouli AT, Dietzel A, Büttgenbach S, Klages CP, Krull R. Characterization of oxygen transfer in vertical microbubble columns for aerobic biotechnological processes. Biotechnol Bioeng 2014; 111:1809-19. [PMID: 24810358 DOI: 10.1002/bit.25243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2013] [Revised: 02/12/2014] [Accepted: 03/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents the applicability of a microtechnologically fabricated microbubble column as a screening tool for submerged aerobic cultivation. Bubbles in the range of a few hundred micrometers in diameter were generated at the bottom of an upright-positioned microdevice. The rising bubbles induced the circulation of the liquid and thus enhanced mixing by reducing the diffusion distances and preventing cells from sedimentation. Two differently sized nozzles (21 × 40 µm(2) and 53 × 40 µm(2) in cross-section) were tested. The gas flow rates were adjustable, and the resulting bubble sizes and gas holdups were investigated by image analysis. The microdevice features sensor elements for the real-time online monitoring of optical density and dissolved oxygen. The active aeration of the microdevice allowed for a flexible oxygen supply with mass transfer rates of up to 0.14 s(-1). Slightly higher oxygen mass transfer rates and a better degassing were found for the microbubble column equipped with the smaller nozzle. To validate the applicability of the microbubble column for aerobic submerged cultivation processes, batch cultivations of the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae were performed, and the specific growth rate, oxygen uptake rate, and yield coefficient were investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gena Peterat
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, 38106, Germany
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Yan C, Wang J, Wang X, Kang W, Cui M, Foo CY, Lee PS. An intrinsically stretchable nanowire photodetector with a fully embedded structure. Adv Mater 2014; 26:943-50. [PMID: 24259383 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201304226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2013] [Revised: 09/15/2013] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Fabrication of intrinsically stretchable nanowire photodetectors based on fully embedded structures is reported. A lithographic filtration method is used to integrate different functional layers into the photodetectors, which exhibit excellent stretchability up to 100%. The fully embedded structure enables excellent stability against repeated stretching, mechanical scratching, and adhesive forces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoyi Yan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798
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Gupta PA, Ge X, Kostov Y, Rao G. A completely noninvasive method of dissolved oxygen monitoring in disposable small-scale cell culture vessels based on diffusion through permeable vessel walls. Biotechnol Prog 2013; 30:172-7. [DOI: 10.1002/btpr.1838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2013] [Revised: 10/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka A. Gupta
- Center for Advanced Sensor Technology; Dept. of Chemical; Biochemical and Environmental Engineering; University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Baltimore MD 21250
| | - Xudong Ge
- Center for Advanced Sensor Technology; Dept. of Chemical; Biochemical and Environmental Engineering; University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Baltimore MD 21250
| | - Yordan Kostov
- Center for Advanced Sensor Technology; Dept. of Chemical; Biochemical and Environmental Engineering; University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Baltimore MD 21250
| | - Govind Rao
- Center for Advanced Sensor Technology; Dept. of Chemical; Biochemical and Environmental Engineering; University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Baltimore MD 21250
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Hegab HM, Elmekawy A, Stakenborg T. Review of microfluidic microbioreactor technology for high-throughput submerged microbiological cultivation. Biomicrofluidics 2013; 7:21502. [PMID: 24404006 PMCID: PMC3631267 DOI: 10.1063/1.4799966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2012] [Accepted: 03/22/2013] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Microbial fermentation process development is pursuing a high production yield. This requires a high throughput screening and optimization of the microbial strains, which is nowadays commonly achieved by applying slow and labor-intensive submerged cultivation in shake flasks or microtiter plates. These methods are also limited towards end-point measurements, low analytical data output, and control over the fermentation process. These drawbacks could be overcome by means of scaled-down microfluidic microbioreactors (μBR) that allow for online control over cultivation data and automation, hence reducing cost and time. This review goes beyond previous work not only by providing a detailed update on the current μBR fabrication techniques but also the operation and control of μBRs is compared to large scale fermentation reactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanaa M Hegab
- KACST-Intel Consortium Center of Excellence in Nano-Manufacturing Applications (CENA), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia ; IMEC, Kapeldreef 75, Leuven, Belgium ; Institute of Advanced Technology and New Materials, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, Borg Elarab, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Elmekawy
- Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, Minufiya University, Sadat City, Egypt
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50
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Han A, Hou H, Li L, Kim HS, de Figueiredo P. Microfabricated devices in microbial bioenergy sciences. Trends Biotechnol 2013; 31:225-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2012.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2012] [Revised: 12/01/2012] [Accepted: 12/11/2012] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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