PCR approaches to bioprocess monitoring in yeast, bacterial and mammalian production platforms.

In biopharmaceuticals manufacture the health of producer cells must be constantly monitored during fermentation processes as high levels of cell death or biological contamination can directly impact product quality. Current monitoring techniques are both complex and costly. We have demonstrated the effectiveness of low-cost PCR-based methods for monitoring cell health and contamination in crude fermentation processes streams, with no need for lengthy sample processing. This work has lead to an EngD studentship with BJS Technologies Ltd (COO Nick Burroughs, nburroughs@bjsbio.com) to evaluate the capabilities of a novel ultra-fast PCR device in bioprocess monitoring and medical diagnostics