Development of a Microchip CE-HPMS Analyzer for Bioreactor Monitoring

Performance Period: 3/1/2019 to 12/31/2020

We propose the development of a compact microchip-­based capillary electrophoresis-­high pressure mass spectrometer (CE-­HPMS) analyzer for near real-­time monitoring of the nutrients and cell metabolites involved in the biomanufacturing process. An analyzer capable of monitoring cationic species will first be demonstrated followed by the addition of anionic molecules. The system offers the benefit of high separation efficiencies with MS detection in a small footprint that can be located on manufacturing floors or cell culture labs. The rapid feedback would improve bioreactor control and thus product quality and yield.

The proposed tool builds off two commercial technologies; the first is the ZipChip CE separation platform that uses commercial mass spectrometers and can analyze small molecules up to intact proteins in less than 3 minutes. The second is the MX908 handheld HPMS used for chemical, explosive, drug, and toxic industrial chemical monitoring. Both core technologies are fully commercialized products at MRL 10. The integration of both into a single platform has been demonstrated in the laboratory and is at the MRL 5/6 level. It is expected that within 18 months, the cation analyzer will advance to MRL 8, and incorporating the anion capabilities will be at MRL 7.