A novel, scalable, and modular bioreactor design for dynamic simulation
of the digestive tract
Abstract
In vitro gut model systems permit the growth of gut microbes outside
their natural habitat and are essential to the study of gut microbiota.
Systems available today are limited by lack of scalability and
flexibility in mode of operation. Here we describe the development of a
versatile bioreactor module capable of sensing and controlling of
environmental parameters such as pH control of culture medium, rate of
influx and efflux of the culture medium, and aerobic/anaerobic
atmosphere. Modules can be linked in series to construct a model of a
digestive tract to allow the growth of microbiota in vitro. We tested
the growth of a model bacterial community in a simulated mammalian gut
model. The model attained and maintained a stable bacterial community
that metabolized bile acids. The findings illustrate the utility of the
model to grow to culture a mixed bacterial community and recapitulate
biological activities such as bile acid metabolism in vitro.