PROJECT TITLE: Oxygen/Carbon Dioxide Miniature Sensor for Space Bioreactors
TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
Giner, Inc. proposes to develop a miniature electrochemical sensor that detects, in a single sensor, dissolved O2 as well as CO2 for use in space bioreactors. The proposed sensor will be insensitive to membrane fouling and hydrodynamic effects, providing accurate measurements without recalibration. The oxygen detection method will use a novel mode of sensing that is insensitive to fluid flow and membrane fouling. By using a CO2 sensing scheme that involves chemisorbing a "reduced-CO2" species on a platinum electrode and then stripping by anodically ramping, we can measure CO2 using the same working electrode or a second working electrode within the same sensor. Signal will be linearly related to pCO2, rather than logarithmically related as in conventional (Severinghaus) CO2 detection, leading to greater accuracy. A periodic, steady-state oxygen measurement will indicate the extent of fouling and a correlation will be developed to correct the CO2 measurement.
POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
A miniaturized dissolved O2/CO2 sensor that is insensitive to fouling is anticipated to have widespread application in the biotechnology industry. There is a growing recognition that controlling O2 and CO2 levels is essential to optimizing the production of human therapeutics using mammalian cell culture. Bacterial, plant and insect cell cultures can also benefit from close monitoring of dissolved gases. There are no commercial combination O2/CO2 sensors and even the availability of dissolved CO2 probes is very limited. The Giner, Inc. proposed miniature sensor would be less than a third the diameter of current commercial probes and will be less sensitive to fouling and stirring than current products.
NAME AND ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Linda A. Tempelman, Ph.D. Giner, Inc. 14 Spring Street Waltham , MA 02451 - 4497
NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR
Giner, Inc. 14 Spring Street Waltham , MA 02451 - 4497