Raman spectroscopy enhances real-time bioprocess monitoring by providing non-invasive, in-situ analysis of chemical species in complex mixtures. It uses monochromatic light to interact with molecules, generating unique spectral profiles that enable real-time sensing and differentiation of chemical components. Machine learning and deep learning methods are applied to process Raman spectral data, improving prediction accuracy and robustness of analyte concentrations. Preprocessing of spectra, feature selection, and data augmentation techniques further enhance the monitoring of multiple variables crucial in bioprocess control. This enables real-time prediction of concentrations of biomolecules like glucose, lactate, and product titers, contributing to efficient bioprocess optimization and control.
Challenges associated with using ML in bioprocess optimization include scaling ML models from lab to industrial production, addressing variability and complexity inherent on larger scales, and dealing with the curse of dimensionality and limited training data2. Additionally, extrapolation limitations and the need for diverse datasets for non-model organisms pose challenges in strain selection and engineering stages. Data transferability and adaptation to new plant conditions are also significant hurdles in integrating ML models into digital twins for predictive process behavior analysis and optimization.
ML techniques play a crucial role in strain engineering by optimizing biocatalyst design and metabolic pathway predictions, enhancing productivity and efficiency. They leverage large, complex datasets to aid in strain selection and engineering stages, enabling precise control of physicochemical parameters. ML techniques such as ensemble learning and neural networks integrate genomic data with bioprocess parameters, allowing for predictive modeling and strain improvement. Additionally, ML tools like the Automated Recommendation Tool for Synthetic Biology assist in iterative design cycles, advancing synthetic biology applications in strain engineering.