Open AccessAt‐line Monitoring of Bioprocess‐Relevant Marker Genes
Author(s) -
Pioch D.,
Jürgen B.,
Evers S.,
Maurer K.H.,
Hecker M.,
Schweder T.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
engineering in life sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.547
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1618-2863
pISSN - 1618-0240
DOI - 10.1002/elsc.200720197
Subject(s) - bioprocess , bacillus licheniformis , biology , gene , computational biology , biochemistry , bacteria , genetics , paleontology , bacillus subtilis
The efficiency of an industrial bioprocess depends above all on the physiology of the host organism. Therefore, a rapid and direct analysis of the host's physiology during fermentation processes would be a worthwhile tool to improve the control of such bioprocesses in the future. This could be achieved by monitoring process‐relevant marker genes, the expression of which indicates unfavorable growth conditions. Recently it was shown that electrical DNA‐chips in combination with a magnetic bead‐based sandwich hybridization (BBSH) assay are a suitable alternative technique for a fast analysis of gene expression by monitoring the respective mRNA. In the present study, an improved protocol was established that allows for a shorter but still sensitive detection of specific mRNAs. The presented optimized BBSH protocol in combination with an electrochemical readout system was successfully applied for the analysis of Bacillus licheniformis marker genes indicating glucose‐ ( acoA ), nitrogen‐ ( glnA ) and phosphate‐ ( phy, pstS ) starvation. The expression profiles determined for all marker genes corresponded with the respective real‐time RT‐PCR measurements. Thus, the optimized protocol, in combination with the electrical chip, could provide the basis for a continuous at‐line monitoring of such biomarkers during bioprocesses.