Development of Microbioreactor Technology for Obligate Anaerobes

The 2006 DOE Research Roadmap for biofuels concluded that ¿efficient conversion of biomass to liquid fuels will require new and innovative approaches for controlling cultivation and simultaneously monitoring cell physiological states and metabolic processes under a range of conditions.¿ In previous work, an instrument was developed to support parallel arrays of micro-fabricated bioreactors with closed loop control of dissolved oxygen and pH. In this project, the fabrication processes and device concepts from the previous work will be applied to the development of a microscale anaerobic bioreactor array instrument. In Phase I, a bench-top bioreactor system will be customized to allow high-throughput cultivation of obligate anaerobes under a range of controlled conditions. Integrated on-line sensors will be used to enable detailed monitoring of culture conditions (including pH and trace oxygen), along with cell concentration and activity, without the risk of introducing oxygen. These devices will be suitable for screening collections of anaerobes, for optimizing enzyme production processes, and for developing anaerobic enzymes with improved characteristics. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: Beyond the immediate objectives of enabling easier manipulation and study of anaerobic microorganisms, this technology should be useful for culturing and screening anaerobes and extremophiles with regard to beneficial properties (e.g., the production of industrially or medically relevant compounds and enzymes). The technology also should enable the screening of libraries of mutagenized/modified anaerobes, in order to identify those that produce enzymes with improved activities. Finally, the microbioreactors should enable the rapid optimization of culture conditions for the manufacture of anaerobe-derived enzymes and chemicals.