Correction to: Application of a multiphase microreactor chemostat for the determination of reaction kinetics of Staphylococcus carnosus

Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering - Unfortunately, in the “How to Cite as” section, the given and the family name of the author was incorrectly published, the correct name is...     

Adjusted saddle position counteracts the modified muscle activation patterns during uphill cycling

The main aim of this project was to study muscle activity patterns during steep uphill cycling (UC) (i.e., with a gradient of 20%) with (1) normal saddle geometry and (2) with adjusted saddle position ASP (i.e., moving the saddle forward and changing the tilt of the saddle by 20%). Based on our preliminary case study, we hypothesized that: (1) during 20% UC muscle activity patterns would be different from those of level cycling (LC) and (2) during 20% UC with ASP muscle activity patterns would resemble those of LC. Twelve trained male cyclists were tested on an electromagnetically braked cycle ergometer under three conditions with the same work rate (80% of maximal power output) and cadence (90 rpm): level (LC), 20% UC and 20% UC with ASP. Electromyographic signals were acquired from m. tibialis anterior (TA), m. soleus (SO), m. gastrocnemius (GC), m. vastus lateralis (VL), m. vastus medialis (VM), m. rectus femoris (RF), m. biceps femoris (BF) and m. gluteus maximus (GM). Compared to LC, 20% UC significantly modified both the timing and the intensity of activity of the selected muscles, while muscles that cross the hip joint were the most affected (RF later onset, earlier offset, shorter range of activity and decrease in peak amplitude of 34%; BF longer range of activity; GM increase in peak amplitude of 44%). These changes in EMG patterns during 20% UC were successfully counteracted by the use of ASP and it was interesting to observe that the use of ASP during 20% UC was perceived positively by all cyclists regarding both comfort and performance. These results could have a practical relevance in terms of improving performance during UC, together with reducing discomfort.     

Application of a multiphase microreactor chemostat for the determination of reaction kinetics of Staphylococcus carnosus

Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering - Bioreactors at the microliter scale offer a promising approach to accelerate bioprocess development. Advantages of such microbioreactors include a reduction...     

A fully online sensor-equipped,disposable multiphase microbioreactor as a screening platform for biotechnological applications

A new disposable, multiphase, microbioreactor (MBR; with a working volume of 550 μl) equipped with online sensors is presented for biotechnological screening research purposes owing to its high-throughput potential. Its design and fabrication, online sensor integration, and operation are described. During aerobic cultivation, sufficient oxygen supply is the most important factor that influences growth and product formation. The MBR is a microbubble column bioreactor (μBC), and the oxygen supply was realized by active pneumatic bubble aeration, ensuring sufficient volumetric liquid-phase mass transfer (k _L a) and proper homogenization of the cultivation broth. The μBC was equipped with miniaturized sensors for the pH, dissolved oxygen, optical density and glucose concentration that allowed real-time online monitoring of these process variables during cultivation. The challenge addressed here was the integration of sensors in the limited available space. The MBR was shown to be a suitable screening platform for the cultivation of biological systems. Batch cultivations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were performed to observe the variation in the process variables over time and to show the robustness and operability of all the online sensors in the MBR.