(642d) Characterization and Application of Noninvasive Optical Sensors for Online pH and Dissolved Oxygen Monitoring in Mammalian Shake Flask Cultures

Traditionally, some of the applications of the shake flask model system have been limited due to the lack of key process information such as pH and DO2. Fundamental understanding of the behavior of these analytes in shake flask cultures is critical, as deviations from optimal conditions can impact growth, productivity and other metabolic parameters within the culture and make process scale-up challenging. Recent advances in non-invasive optical sensor technology allowed clearer insights into small-scale cell culture systems in a timely fashion. We have performed the studies to characterize the applications of online monitoring using optical pH and dissolved oxygen sensors in shake flasks bioprocessing. In these studies we have addressed multiple aspects of sensor technology in cell culture, including accuracy and stability over time, as well as highlight potential uses of this technology in small-scale systems. Topics such as volumetric gas-liquid mass transfer and the impact of process parameters on shake flask mammalian cell cultivation will also be presented.