Biotop-report 2014

22

BioTOPics 47 | May 2014 

BioTOP-Report

 Bioelectronics  

purpose, new lance- and rope-based mobile sensor and sam-

pling systems that can be directly applied to analyze concentra-

tion gradients have been developed. 

A robot-based mini pilot plant has also been established for pro-

cess development in micro-plate and mini-bioreactor cultures. 

This highly automated facility focuses on processes with genet-

ically engineered microorganisms. Extensive analyses are au-

tomatically performed on tens to hundreds of  cultivations in μl 

and ml formats. The laboratory pioneered the EnBase

®

 controlled 

substrate delivery technology, which is instrumental for consistent 

bioprocess development and a key element in this high-through-

put (HT) automated industrial reference laboratory.

Joint Lab Bioelectronics’ mission is to introduce new biosensor 

technologies. This work focuses on the adaption of  the sensor 

system to the particular biotech application. The starting point is 

the sensor chips developed at IHP, including a fully embedded 

microelectromechanical system (MEMS) for affinity assays and a 

cell sensor operated via impedance spectroscopy (see Fig. 1). 

However, the biochips fabricated in semiconductor fabs require 

special packaging before being introduced into bioprocesses 

with an emphasis on hermiticity and must be shielded against 

corrosion from the liquid bio milieu. 

The demand for microsensors for applications in microfluidic 

platforms has jumped in recent years. Many applications rely on 

polymer devices, because most companies and scientific work-

ing groups have almost no access to microelectronic fabrication 

techniques. Joint Lab Bioelectronics follows the approach of  de-

veloping and supplying biotechnological platform modules that 

combine equal shares of  microelectronic and microfluidic com-

ponents.

Bioprocess engineering is one promising field of  application for 

miniaturized sensors. Industrial bioprocess development faces 

the challenge of  reducing the risks, costs and timeframe of  new 

product launch. In the pharmaceuticals industry in particular, the 

regulatory authorities expect dossiers to be based on knowledge 

that derives from careful sensing (PAT). Consequently, future bi-

oprocess development will consist of  HT technologies based on 

miniaturizing, parallelization, automation and intense monitoring.

Joint Lab Bioelectronics is a perfect match for the Bioprocess 

Engineering chair’s HT lab, where platform technologies are de-

veloped to comply with the above-mentioned needs. This lab is 

Figure 1. Affinity-viscosimetric microsensor chip with fully embedded 

MEMS (X-shaped beams on the left) und calibration curves for glucose 

concentration measurements it has taken, Birkholz et al., J. Appl. Phys. 113 

(2013) 244904. 

glucose concentration 

c

g

 (mM)

T dependence of t

sw

in sensoric fluid 

for varying 

c

g

150

140

130

120

110

100

90

80

switc

hing time 

t

sw

 (ms)

40º

35º

30º

Figure 2. Steps in consistent, automated bioprocess development based on process analytical technologies, experimental design approaches and the early 

consideration of  the industrial process by applying the fed-batch mode.

Joint Lab Bioelectronics – miniaturized sensors

EnBase

®

Fed-batched in μl 

and mL scale

Robotics

Automated

cultivation

MagReSyn

TM

Automated DSP

and analytics

DoE

Experimental 

plans, modelling

Sensors

On-line

data reading

Integration

Automated

data evaluation

Achieve innovation, 

shape the future

High Tech Gruenderfonds is your partner for Seed Stage investing. We 

help out young, high potential startups in the early phases of technology 

and product development, as well as successful launching.  Our assistance 

is not limited to our cash investments, instead we strive to add long term 

added-value to portfolio companies through our extensive network of 

professional and our accredited coaches.

Start shot for young technology companies

Ene

rgy

Aut

omation

Phot

onics

Indus

trial Sof

tware

Sof

twa

re

Inter

net & T

elecommunication

Media & E-commerce

Life Science

Mater

ials Science

Nanotechnology & Chemis

try

I N V E S T O R S   O F   H I G H - T E C H   G R U E N D E R F O N D S   I I

High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH

Schlegelstraße  2 | 53113 Bonn 

Phone: [phone] |  Fax:  [phone]   

E-Mail:    [e-mail]

http: // www.high-tech-gruenderfonds.de

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23

BioTOPics 47 | May 2014 

BioTOP-Report

  Bioelectronics  

able to screen volumes of  as little as 200 µl per vessel, in up 

to 96 vessels at the same time. Process development and pro-

duction process characterization take place simultaneously, in up 

to 48 miniaturized stirred-tank bioreactors with a working volume 

of  approx. 10 ml. The cultivation, process analytics and product 

recovery processes are automated with the help of  a liquid han-

dling system (lab robot). In close collaboration with Joint Lab Bio-

electronics, the scientists explore the application and integration 

of  microsensors for glucose concentration and cell density in HT 

systems. The overall process development approach relies on 

consistency: experimental planning determines parameter fields, 

production systems are investigated under process-related con-

ditions and IT tools handle data. These platform technologies are 

currently being applied to specific demonstrator processes. Inter-

ested customers can also take advantage of  the HT lab’s services.

Last but not least, Joint Lab Bioelectronics aims to teach micro-

electronics to Biotechnology students, since the job markets of  

the the future will demand large numbers of  graduates special-

ized in this field. The “Introduction to Bioelectronics” course was 

introduced in 2012 and has been held every summer semester 

since then. It was recently included as a mandatory elective 

course in the Master of  Biotechnology program at TU Berlin. 

For the second year in a row, Joint Lab Bioelectronics will organize 

a bioelectronics symposium in September 2014, where leading 

experts in the field will discuss their recent developments. IHP will 

present its biotechnology-relevant technology modules during the 

second day of  the symposium. We cordially invite interested col-

leagues from the life sciences and microelectronics to participate 

in the symposium.

Achieve innovation, 

shape the future

High Tech Gruenderfonds is your partner for Seed Stage investing. We 

help out young, high potential startups in the early phases of technology 

and product development, as well as successful launching.  Our assistance 

is not limited to our cash investments, instead we strive to add long term 

added-value to portfolio companies through our extensive network of 

professional and our accredited coaches.

Start shot for young technology companies

Ene

rgy

Aut

omation

Phot

onics

Indus

trial Sof

tware

Sof

twa

re

Inter

net & T

elecommunication

Media & E-commerce

Life Science

Mater

ials Science

Nanotechnology & Chemis

try

I N V E S T O R S   O F   H I G H - T E C H   G R U E N D E R F O N D S   I I

High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH

Schlegelstraße  2 | 53113 Bonn 

Phone: [phone] |  Fax:  [phone]   

E-Mail:    [e-mail]

http: // www.high-tech-gruenderfonds.de

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