Real-Time Monitoring in Biomanufacturing with Graphene Field-Effect Transistor Sensors: Detection of pH, Glucose, and Antibodies

In high-efficiency smart biomanufacturing, continuous monitoring of products, byproducts, and reagents is crucial for optimizing production processes, improving yield, and ensuring product quality. This monitoring maintains optimal conditions, reduces waste, and enables swift corrective actions, minimizing the risk of producing out-of-specification products. With advancements in cell-free biomanufacturing, the importance of in-line sensing technologies has increased, as they provide real-time tracking of biochemical processes, allowing immediate adjustments to keep manufacturing efficient and consistent. In this study, we successfully developed a graphene field-effect transistor (gFET) sensor to monitor key parameters such as glucose, pH, and immunoglobulin G antibody levels in cell culture media from a CHO cells bioreactor. The gFET sensor accurately detected pH levels between 6.8 and 8.2, glucose concentrations from 5 to 30 mM, and antibody levels ranging from 25 to 100 µg/mL, highlighting the potential of graphene sensors for inline sensing in advanced biomanufacturing.