Advanced Technology - Sensors

Sensors play an important role in cell culture because they are part of the process control system that guarantees a physiologically balanced environment for cell growth. Sensors also significantly decrease crew time and resources needed to conduct cell culture studies in flight. BSO uses a two-pronged approach to acquiring sensors for its bioreactor systems. A small effort is conducted in BSO laboratories and a greater effort is supported through NASA Research Announcements.

The Sensor Laboratory was established in 1995 in response to requirements for pH, glucose, oxygen, and biomass sensors to operate process control systems in ground-based and space bioreactors. To date, several sensors and controls have been developed:

• pH Sensor:  non-invasive optical pH sensor
• ph Control:  developed to control the pH of the culture media in the perfused bioreactor, consists of pH sensor, buffer, hardware and software
• Glucose Sensor:  enzyme-based amperometric glucose sensor is being developed in collaboration with Dexcom, Inc.
• Oxygen Sensor:  optical oxygen sensor that uses the fluorescence quenching technique to measure the dissolved oxygen present in the perfused culture medium
• Lactate Sensor:  an enzyme-based amperometric lactate sensor (in development)
• Carbon Dioxide Sensor:  a modified dissolved carbon dioxide sensor (in development)

Current Efforts

Work is also underway to benefit future microgravity research with technology that will continuously monitor and control the cell culture environment during on-orbit bioreactor investigations. While sophisticated sensors are central to cell culture research, they also play a role in ensuring the success of future space exploration.

These include Dr. David Muhammer and colleagues at the University of Iowa who are investigating near-infrared spectroscopy for real-time, non-invasive monitoring of selected parameters that are critical for animal cell cultures. Dr. Glenn Spaulding of the Clear Lake Medical Foundation, Inc. is working on optical sensors that remotely monitor the cell culture media. These physiological sensors are needed to achieve a physiologically balanced culture environment that will enable growth of tissues for transplantation. Dr. Bruce Towe of the University of Arizona is working to develop a microflow oxygen sensor for space biotechnology.

Learn more about our Sensors and Controls Technology and Development Laboratory.