Project

Call for Partners | RoBiotS: Raman & Optical Sensors for Biotechnological Screening 

Spectral sensors such as Raman and NIR have significant potential for real-time monitoring of fermentation processes. However, their adoption in high-throughput and industrial fermentation remains limited due to technical and operational challenges. The RoBiotS project aims to unlock this potential by developing scalable, user-friendly, and accurate monitoring systems combining sensor hardware and data science for fermentation innovation.

Monitoring and optimizing fermentation-based processes is essential for innovation in the food, feed, and biobased sectors. While NIR, Raman, and other optical sensors can deliver real-time, non-destructive analysis, their practical application—especially in high-throughput screening (HTS)—is still underdeveloped in the food and biobased fermentation space. This limits the ability of companies to efficiently screen and scale up promising microbial processes. 

The RoBiotS project (Raman & Optical sensors for Biotechnological Screening) will address this challenge through a unique integration of sensor technology, chemometrics, and fermentation expertise. The project brings together a multidisciplinary team at Wageningen Food & Biobased Research (WFBR) with proven track records in spectral analysis, fermentation, and data science. 

Our goals include:

  • Evaluating and benchmarking sensor platforms for small-scale fermentations and selecting the most suitable for HTS.
  • Developing robust chemometric models by comparing sensor data to reference measurements (e.g. HPLC, MPN).
  • Validating sensor systems at lab and 2L pilot scale, ensuring smooth integration into existing lab environments.
  • Creating semi-automated decision-support tools for selecting the best-performing strain-substrate-condition combinations.
  • Training industry partners in the use and interpretation of these systems, enabling real-time process control.

    The final deliverables include a best-practice sensor set-up, validated prediction models, and workflows tailored to partner-specific needs. 

    Partners 

    We are seeking industrial partners interested in innovating their fermentation monitoring and scale-up capabilities. This includes: 

    • Equipment and sensor technology providers
    • Ingredient and culture developers
    • Fermentation service providers
    • Food, feed, and biotech manufacturers seeking smarter process control

    Whether you focus on strain development, upstream fermentation, or downstream processing, RoBiotS offers tools to enhance your R&D efficiency and product quality.