A bioprocess control system to automate and optimize nutrient feeding protocols

A novel bioprocess control system and method for in-situ, real time monitoring and control of nutrient feeding in upstream bioreactors and fermentors is described. MRI (Metabolic Rate Index) is a Process Variable generated in real time by the system that describes the overall state of the metabolic environment of the process under observation and is highly sensitive to any molecular level perturbation in the process media, such as occurs when a biological process is fed nutrients and carbon sources.  MRI data acquired by the system is used to construct an automatic frequency modulated feeding protocol that responds to changes in the media composition in response to the target organism’s metabolic response to nutrient concentration in media. The  resulting automatic feeding protocol maintains a proscribed optimum nutrient concentration to produce high quality, high yield product. The system is applicable to all scales of operation from process development to commercial production and is compatible with SUBs. This technology is applicable   in microbial, fungal, and mammalian cultures.