Single-cell Tracking Analytics for Reliable Bioprocesses

In STARBio, single-cell assessment technologies will be further developed and used as process analytical tools in bioprocesses, involving interdisciplinary use of imaging techniques in close cooperation with research associates specializing in measurement and control technology and further in machine learning. Understanding the impact of the growth environment on individual cells and their interaction within populations across different bioreactor types and scales is important for i) an advanced process monitoring and control to achieve a high process robustness, especially for co- and mixed cultures; ii) the replacement of sophisticated off line measurements for the quantification of intracellular components like lipids, biopolymers, inclusion bodies; iii) faster process development with respect to scale down and scale up, while considering macromorphological and population changes; and iv) an improved process simulation under consideration of the population, e.g. through population balance analysis.

The aim of STARBio is to explore workflows for the establishment of stable synthetic co-cultures of lactic acid bacteria and yeast as Kefir-like cultivation from the mL scale in pH-uncontrolled shaken cultures to pH- and dissolved oxygen controlled bioreactors. Findings shall enable the application of such synthetic co-cultures to explore the potential to create better food products that contain typical metabolites that accumulate in co-culture. In general, the production of truly probiotic, natural Kefir-like products should be facilitated. Additionally, methods shall be demonstrated that allow monitoring and control of different species in relevant cultivation environments.