Research

Electrochemical Control

Electrochemical Control of Bioreactor Media.

1. Enhancement and control of oxygen supply to fermentation systems will be studied using the Artificial Gill system. Enhancement of oxygen carrier mass transport properties will be studied in conjunction with methods of effecting carrier separation and recovery. Extension to mammalian cells will require collaboration with other groups as well as a solution to toxicity issues.
2. Enhancement of cell growth and activity by supply of energy via electron transfer agents. This work will include separation strategies for redox carriers as well as use of electrochemical conditioning of media to control micro-organism growth and activity rates in bioreactors. This work may also include extension to use electrochemical control of protein refolding processes. Funding for this work is pending.

Both 1) and 2) will involve basic studies of the biocompatibility of the electrochemical components.