Growth of microorganisms in an interfacially driven space bioreactor analog

Abstract

Fluid bioreactors in microgravity environments may utilize alternative methods of containment and mixing. The ring-sheared drop (RSD) is a containerless mixing device which functions in microgravity using surface tension for containment and mixes through interfacially-driven flow. To assess the feasibility of using interfacially driven flow devices, such as the RSD, as bioreactors, Escherichia coli growth and recombinant protein expression were analyzed in a ground-based analog of the RSD called the knife edge surface viscometer (KEV). Results demonstrated that the KEV can facilitate the growth of E. coli and that growth rate increases logarithmically with increasing knife edge rotation rate, similar to the standard growth method on Earth (orbital shaker). Furthermore, the KEV was shown to be viable for supporting recombinant protein expression in E. coli at levels comparable to those achieved using standard growth methods.npj Microgravity (2020) 6:11 ; https://doi.

Effects of Shear Rate and Protein Concentration on Amyloidogenesis via Interfacial Shear

“…Here, Re represents an upper bound because ν w is smaller than the kinematic viscosity of the insulin solutions, which increase with time as a result of fibril formation. The three constant rotation rates were chosen (nominally, n = 75, 150, and 300 rpm corresponding to Re = 500, 1000, and 2000 where n = Ω × 30/π) such that this upper bound of Re remained within the axisymmetric laminar flow regime of the KEV. , …”

Molecular Pharming to Support Human Life on the Moon, Mars, and Beyond

“…66 and fluid dynamics 67 , in altered gravity; operation will need to be compliant across microgravity for in-flight production and reduced gravity for a Moon or Mars mission. There is a growing body of literature on development of bioreactors with alternative containment and mixing for microgravity [68][69][70] . Main existing technical difficulties of culture-based systems in limited resource environments are the expensive and complex equipment requirements and the need for aseptic operation for growing the production host cells.…”