Optimization of insect cell based protein production processes - online monitoring, expression systems, scale-up

Due to the increasing use of insect cell based expression systems in research and industrial recombinant protein production, the development of efficient and reproducible production processes remains a challenging task. In this context, the application of online monitoring techniques is intended to ensure high and reproducible product qualities already during the early phases of process development. In the following chapter, the most common transient and stable insect cell based expression systems are briefly introduced. Novel applications of insect cell based expression systems for the production of insect derived antimicrobial peptides/proteins (AMPs) are discussed using the example of G. mellonella derived gloverin. Suitable in situ sensor techniques for insect cell culture monitoring in disposable and common bioreactor systems are outlined with respect to optical and capacitive sensor concepts. Since scale-up of production processes is one of the most critical steps in process development, a conclusive overview is given about scale up aspects for industrial insect cell culture processes

Restructuring Accounting Education: The Key to Avoiding Another Financial Crisis in Greece

This final chapter contends that accounting education is strongly related to the recent financial crisis in Greece, since some of the main root causes of the crisis were accounting omissions and manipulations in financial statements all embraced by unethical actions. The global financial crisis in Greece, epitomized by the recession of 2009, raised the question of whether and how should accounting educators respond. The purpose of this chapter is to understand the role of accounting education in the efforts made to prevent another financial crisis in Greece

Optical Carbon Dioxide Sensors Based on Silicone-Encapsulated Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids

Novel optical carbon dioxide sensors are based on emulsion of room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs)–1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium salts in a silicone matrix. Semiquantitative determination of CO2 is achieved by dissolving an absorption-based pH indicator (thymol blue, TB, or bromthymol blue, BTB) in the RTIL. A quantitative fluorimetric sensor makes use of 8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonate (HPTS). The response of the fluorimetric sensors to CO2 can easily be linearized which makes (re)calibration of the sensor very simple. It is demonstrated that a reference inert fluorescent dye (4-dicyanomethylene-2-methyl-6-(4-(dimethylamino)styryl)-4H-pyrane) can be added for ratiometric measurements. It is also shown that stable inorganic salts such as sodium phosphate can be used instead of quaternary ammonium hydroxides. Sensitivity of the material can be tuned by varying the pKa of an indicator. The sensors can find application in biotechnology, environmental monitoring, and food-packaging technology