Beschreibung
The macroscopic output of any biotechnological process that employs whole cells as living catalysts comprises the cumulative activity of single cells within the population. However, isogenic microbial populations exhibit significant phenotypic heterogeneity at a single-cell level, encompassing all hierarchical layers from genome to phenome, yet implying heterogeneity in the catalytic capacity of individual cells. It has been demonstrated that the extent of functional intrapopulation heterogeneity is inextricably connected to frequency and amplitude of physicochemical changes in the extracellular environment. Hence, not only the identification of individual physiological phenotypes, but also the ability to analyze their dynamics in controlled environments is a fundamental requirement for the elucidation of cellular mechanisms in a bioprocess engineering context. Certainly, these needs cannot be fulfilled with population-based cultivation technologies. In this light, the present thesis meets the challenge of investigating single-cell physiology and its dynamics in controlled microfluidic environments with the Envirostat microbioreactor. In combination with novel analytical concepts for the holistic description of cellular traits at a single-cell level, the Envirostat enabled demonstrating cellular function and functionality to be decisively dictated by the extracellular environment.
Herstellerkennzeichnung:
Shaker Verlag GmbH
Am Langen Graben 15a
52353 Düren
DE
E-Mail: info@shaker.de
