Monitoring and control of microbioreactors: An expert opinion on development needs

This perspective article is based on an expert panel review on microbioreactor applications in biochemical and biomedical engineering that was organized by the M3C (measurement, monitoring, modelling and control) Working Group of the European Section of Biochemical Engineering Science (ESBES) in the European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB). The aim of the panel was to provide an updated view on the present status of the subject and to identify critical needs and issues for furthering the successful development of microbioreactor monitoring and control. This will benefit future bioprocess development and in vitro toxicity testing. The article concludes with a set of recommendations for extended use and further development of microbioreactors. Microbioreactors are new useful tools for bioprocess development and in vitro toxicity testing. In this perspective article an expert panel (the M3C Working Group of the European Section of Biochemical Engineering Science, ESBES, in the European Federation of Biotechnology, EFB) discusses how microbioreactors can be improved by using advanced measurement, monitoring and control methods. It concludes with a set of recommendations for extended use and further development of microbioreactors.