High throughput device for rapid cellular metabolic characterization

Description: OBJECTIVE: The cell culture scale-up team (CCSU) has a requirement for an instrument for rapid cellular metabolic characterization. The instrument will be used to characterize and screen the phenotype and the metabolic requirements of cell lines developed at the NRC and used in large-scale bioreactors. BACKGROUND: Cell lines can be used to produce monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, viral vectors, vaccines, viruses and virus-like-particles. In large-scale bioreactor, the metabolic profile of a cell line has a critical impact on its productivity. The presence of certain nutrients in the cell culture media is also a strong determinant of the cell line performance. Therefore, we are looking for an instrument that will enable measurements of multiple metabolites in parallel at 32oC to 37oC in live cells. We are particularly interested in measurements of metabolites involved in mitochondrial activity and respiration. We also need to screen different compounds that might improve cell growth and productivity in a high-throughput fashion. All the deliverables must be received within 2 months after the contract award date.