Article: In Situ Monitoring Of CHO Cell Culture Medium Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

By Robert A. Mattes, Denise Root, David Chang, Mike Molony, and Mahalia Ong

NIR spectroscopy (NIRS) has been used by the bioprocessing industry since the early 1990s for ex situ analysis, but it has potential for in situ bioprocess monitoring. In efforts to maximize antibody yield, it is important to monitor a bioreactor in situ during CHO cell culture for effective control and optimization of nutrient levels and ammonia production. Routine sampling for wet chemistry can introduce microbial contamination. Even when samples are taken hourly, results are not available for hours or even days. NIRS using specialized transmission probes and fiber optics allows real-time in situ analysis of bioreactor feed stocks and product. With continuous NIR analysis, metabolic parameters and culture media constituents can be better monitored and controlled, which increases CHO cell life and lengthens the production phase. Each NIR spectrum can be used to predict as many as 30 fermentation parameters after prediction models have been developed.

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