Walther I, van der Schoot B H, Jeanneret S, Arquint P, de Rooij N F, Gass V, Bechler B, Lorenzi G, Cogoli A
Space Biology Group, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich.
J Biotechnol. 1994 Nov 30;38(1):21-32. doi: 10.1016/0168-1656(94)90144-9.
A new type of miniature bioreactor for continuous culture of yeast cells in space laboratories has been developed. Silicon microtechnology has permitted the integration of numerous functions and systems in a volume of 87 x 63 x 63 mm3 and a weight of 610 g. The 100 ml of fresh medium can be delivered at variable flow rates to the cultivation chamber (volume 3 ml) by means of a micropump. The culture is agitated by a magnetic stirrer. Microsensors monitor pH, temperature and redox potential. The decrease of pH occurring during the cultivation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is compensated electrochemically. A window allows the inspection of the culture status. Samples of up to 1 ml can be drawn through a silicone rubber septum. The data measured by the sensors are transmitted on-line to the ground station during operations in space. The bioreactor had to fulfil several requirements related to the safety regulation of the space agencies. In particular, new materials had to be selected and tested for their biocompatibility. The instrument has now passed all space and biological qualification tests and will be used in an experiment selected by ESA for the International Microgravity Laboratory-2 Mission in Spacelab in July 1994. This paper gives the results of the functional and biological tests and a detailed description of the instrument.
一种用于太空实验室中酵母细胞连续培养的新型微型生物反应器已研制成功。硅微技术能够将多种功能和系统集成在一个体积为87×63×63立方毫米、重量为610克的装置中。借助微型泵，可将100毫升新鲜培养基以可变流速输送至培养室（体积为3毫升）。培养物通过磁力搅拌器进行搅拌。微型传感器可监测pH值、温度和氧化还原电位。在酿酒酵母培养过程中发生的pH值下降可通过电化学方法进行补偿。一个视窗可用于观察培养状态。可通过硅橡胶隔膜抽取最多1毫升的样品。在太空运行期间，传感器测得的数据会在线传输至地面站。该生物反应器必须满足与航天机构安全规定相关的多项要求。特别是，必须选择新材料并测试其生物相容性。该仪器现已通过所有太空和生物学鉴定测试，并将用于欧洲航天局为1994年7月在太空实验室进行的国际微重力实验室-2任务所选定的一项实验。本文给出了功能和生物学测试结果以及该仪器的详细描述。
