DOCTORAL CANDIDATE 12

In this project a methodology will be developed to enable photothermal and absorption spectroscopy interrogation of minute amounts of liquid samples in distributed containers (e.g. 96 well plates). DC12 will be trained in qualitative high-throughput protein analytical assays to understand the application requirements. For this application, free space optics (with DC10) for both the mid-IR excitation laser as well as for the NIR probe laser need to be used to provide in-situ MIR spectroscopic analysis of the wellplate. First the concept will be realized and optimized focusing on a single vial. Automated mechanics will be used for interrogation of multiple vials (e.g. 96 vials of a microtitre plate). Concepts based on metalenses for increased alignment tolerances will be evaluated and the most promising option will be realized at MTU. Close collaboration with DC 10 and DC 7 with regards to integration is anticipated. System optimization will be done using BSA as a model protein. The final optimized system will then be used to test the stability of different protein formulations, e.g. studying the stabilizing effect of sugars on a given protein at INSCL. Chemometric data analysis will allow to extract minute changes in protein secondary structure with DC 4,5. DC12 will develop interdisciplinary skills in QC and downstream methods for biopharmaceuticals manufacturing at INSCL.