Many high‐value added recombinant proteins, such as therapeutic glycoproteins, are produced using mammalian cell cultures. In order to optimize the productivity of these cultures it is important to monitor cellular metabolism, for example the utilization of nutrients and the accumulation of metabolic waste products. One metabolic waste product of interest is lactic acid (lactate), overaccumulation of which can decrease cellular growth and protein production. Current methods for the detection of lactate are limited in terms of cost, sensitivity, and robustness. Therefore, we developed a whole‐cell Escherichia coli lactate biosensor based on the lldPRD operon and successfully used it to monitor lactate concentration in mammalian cell cultures. Using real samples and analytical validation we demonstrate that our biosensor can be used for absolute quantification of metabolites in complex samples with high accuracy, sensitivity, and robustness. Importantly, our whole‐cell biosensor was able to detect lactate at concentrations more than two orders of magnitude lower than the industry standard method, making it useful for monitoring lactate concentrations in early phase culture. Given the importance of lactate in a variety of both industrial and clinical contexts we anticipate that our whole‐cell biosensor can be used to address a range of interesting biological questions. It also serves as a blueprint for how to capitalize on the wealth of genetic operons for metabolite sensing available in nature for the development of other whole‐cell biosensors. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 1290–1300. © 2017 The Authors. Biotechnology and Bioengineering Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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AimExperienced, qualified and unqualified, hospice nurses desire career progression which is limited within the hospice environment. Time and money is invested in education to deliver high quality palliative care. For nurses to then take those skills elsewhere leaves a huge gap in our workforce. An NHS post is the usual route to becoming a Palliative Care Nurse Specialist (PCNS). If experienced Health Care Assistants (HCA) want to progress they are currently required to attend university to gain an academic qualification and for many this would prove challenging.ApproachLocal hospices’ professional development was scoped, but revealed no specific models and new roles were bespoke. Two local roles were developed; Hospice Nurse Specialist (HNS), and HCA Therapy Assistant (TA). Roles were clearly defined, with robust job descriptions and person specifications, scope of practice agreed, required skills, competences and boundaries established.ResultThe skilled HNS provides continuity of care for patients and a visible presence provides a vital link between nursing and medical professionals. It has led to a more streamlined admission process for the patient and following completion of the non-medical prescribing module, the HNS works autonomously wherever the patient presents, allowing medical staff to focus on patients with more specialist complex needs. The TA role presented its own challenges as there is no national specifically defined pathway to follow. Specific competencies were developed including input from community equipment suppliers, wheelchair services and by shadowing various therapy teams within hospital and community setting.ConclusionThis has been a successful ‘dip of the toe in the water’ for role development. Future development includes an accredited academic module in Specialist Palliative and End of Life Care, in partnership with the local university and investigating the role of apprenticeships for hospice Healthcare Support Workers and Assistant Practitioners.

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