Optical sensor based on fluorescent quenching and pulsed blue LED excitation for long-term monitoring of dissolved oxygen in NASA space bioreactors.

There is a need to monitor the concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) present in the culture medium for NASA's space cell biology experiments, as well as in earth-based cell cultures. Continuous measurement of DO concentration in the cell culture medium in perfused bioreactors requires that the oxygen sensor provide adequate sensitivity and low toxicity to the cells, as well as maintain calibration over several weeks. Although there are a number of sensors for dissolved oxygen on the market and under development elsewhere, very few meet these stringent conditions.

Evaluation of the paratrend multi-analyte sensor for potential utilization in long-duration automated cell culture monitoring.

Background: Compact and automated sensors are desired for assessing the health of cell cultures in biotechnology experiments. While several single-analyte sensors exist to measure culture health, a multi-analyte sensor would simplify the cell culture system. One such multi-analyte sensor, the Paratrend 7 manufactured by Diametrics Medical, consists of three optical fibers for measuring pH, dissolved carbon dioxide (pCO(2)), dissolved oxygen (pO(2)), and a thermocouple to measure temperature.

Continuous glucose monitoring and control in a rotating wall perfused bioreactor.

A glucose control system consisting of a single in-line glucose sensor, concentrated glucose solution, and computer hardware and software were developed. The system was applied to continuously control glucose concentrations of a perfusion medium in a rotating wall perfused vessel (RWPV) bioreactor culturing BHK-21 cells. The custom-made glucose sensor was based on a hydrogen peroxide electrode.

Long-term continuous monitoring of dissolved oxygen in cell culture medium for perfused bioreactors using optical oxygen sensors.

For long-term growth of mammalian cells in perfused bioreactors, it is essential to monitor the concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) present in the culture medium to ascertain the health of the cells. An optical oxygen sensor based on dynamic fluorescent quenching was developed for long-term continuous measurement of DO for NASA-designed rotating perfused bioreactors. Tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) ruthenium(II) chloride is employed as the fluorescent dye indicator.

Continuous pH monitoring in a perfused bioreactor system using an optical pH sensor.

Monitoring and regulating the pH of the solution in a bioprocess is one of the key steps in the success of bioreactor operation. An in-line optical pH sensor, based on the optical absorption properties of phenol red present in the medium, was developed and tested in this work for use in NASA space bioreactors based on a rotating wall-perfused vessel system supporting a baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cell culture. The sensor was tested over three 30-day and one 124-day cell runs.