How can you prevent contamination in bioprocessing?

3 Monitor and control bioprocess parameters

The third step to prevent contamination in bioprocessing is to monitor and control the bioprocess parameters that can affect the growth and survival of your cells and the quality of your product. Some of the key bioprocess parameters include temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, nutrient concentration, and cell density. You should measure these parameters regularly and adjust them accordingly to maintain optimal conditions for your cells. You should also avoid over-culturing or under-culturing your cells, as this can lead to stress, mutation, or death of your cells.

4 Detect and eliminate contamination

The fourth step to prevent contamination in bioprocessing is to detect and eliminate any contamination that may occur despite your preventive measures. You should perform routine tests to check for the presence of any contaminants, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, mycoplasma, endotoxins, or foreign DNA. You should use sensitive and specific methods, such as microscopy, culture, PCR, ELISA, or qPCR, to identify and quantify the contaminants. You should also dispose of any contaminated samples, cultures, or products safely and appropriately.

5 Implement quality assurance and quality control

The fifth step to prevent contamination in bioprocessing is to implement quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) systems to ensure the consistency and reliability of your bioprocess and product. QA/QC systems involve the use of standards, guidelines, protocols, and documentation to verify and validate every step of your bioprocess. You should follow the good manufacturing practices (GMP) and the good laboratory practices (GLP) that are applicable to your product and industry. You should also conduct audits, inspections, and reviews to evaluate and improve your bioprocess performance and compliance.

6 Train and educate your staff

The sixth and final step to prevent contamination in bioprocessing is to train and educate your staff on the importance and methods of contamination prevention. Your staff should be aware of the potential sources, consequences, and signs of contamination, as well as the preventive and corrective actions to take. You should provide your staff with regular training sessions, workshops, and feedback to update and reinforce their knowledge and skills. You should also foster a culture of quality and safety among your staff and encourage them to report and resolve any issues or errors.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?