(1111-D) Automated bioprocess development of an IPTG-inducible E. coli strain

Abstract: In microbial process development the screening of several different process parameters is usually a bottleneck. Parameters influencing the product yield can range from different media compositions, feeding strategies, and pH values over inducer concentration to induction time. The new integration of the BioLector XT microbioreactor in a Biomek i5 liquid handler allows for automated, high-throughput bioprocessing. In this work, a screening study is presented in which the integrated system provides full process control over microbial cultivations, while allowing for increased walk-away time. Using these capabilities, a study was performed which aimed to find an optimal strategy for an IPTG-induced protein production process with E. coli. Important cultivation parameters like biomass, dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH were continuously monitored online by the BioLector XT microbioreactor and used to trigger liquid transfer actions, like feeding and IPTG induction. IPTG inducer concentration as well as induction time were varied to find the optimal conditions to increase product yield. The production of the protein of interest was monitored online using fluorescence measurements performed by the BioLector XT microbioreactor. The dataset shows how the use of a fully integrated microbioreactor can screen up to 32 different sets of process conditions at a time, without manual interference.