Program Structure

Module 1: Introduction to Advanced Bioprocess Engineering

• Overview of bioprocess engineering: from research to industrial-scale production.
• The evolution of biotechnology and its impact on various industries like pharmaceuticals, food production, and biofuels.
• The interdisciplinary nature of bioprocess engineering: biology, chemistry, engineering, and economics.
• Common challenges in bioprocess engineering and strategies for overcoming them.

Module 2: Bioreactor Design and Scale-Up

• Understanding bioreactor types: batch, continuous, fed-batch, and perfusion systems.
• Design considerations: mass transfer, heat transfer, mixing, and aeration in bioreactors.
• Bioreactor scale-up: from laboratory to industrial-scale bioprocesses, and the associated challenges.
• Modeling and simulation tools for bioreactor design and optimization.
• Case studies: real-world applications of bioreactor designs in different industries.

Module 3: Fermentation Kinetics and Process Control

• Microbial and cell culture growth kinetics: understanding the growth phases and factors that affect microbial metabolism.
• Process control strategies: maintaining optimal conditions for fermentation through pH, temperature, and nutrient regulation.
• Advanced fermentation techniques: using genetic engineering, metabolic flux analysis, and systems biology approaches to optimize yields.
• Real-time monitoring and control in fermentation processes: instrumentation and automation in bioprocessing.
• Case studies: optimizing fermentation processes for industrial products like antibiotics, biofuels, and enzymes.

Module 4: Downstream Processing in Bioprocessing

• Introduction to downstream processing: the steps required to recover, purify, and concentrate bioproducts from cultures.
• Separation techniques: centrifugation, filtration, chromatography, and membrane processes.
• Purification strategies: selecting the right techniques for specific products, such as proteins, enzymes, and metabolites.
• Process optimization in downstream operations: maximizing yield while maintaining product integrity.
• Case studies: successful downstream processing applications in biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry.

Module 5: Bioprocess Optimization Techniques

• Understanding the principles of bioprocess optimization: improving efficiency, product yield, and product quality.
• Optimizing carbon and nitrogen sources for microbial growth in fermentation processes.
• Strategies for improving product titers: genetic optimization, environmental control, and bioreactor configuration.
• Modeling bioprocesses: using computational models and simulations to predict outcomes and optimize processes.
• Experimental design and statistical methods for optimizing bioprocess parameters.

Module 6: Bioprocess Safety, Quality, and Regulatory Considerations

• Safety protocols in bioprocess engineering: preventing contamination, ensuring operator safety, and handling hazardous materials.
• Regulatory guidelines for bioprocesses: understanding GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), FDA regulations, and industry standards.
• Quality control and assurance in bioprocessing: maintaining consistency and reproducibility in product manufacturing.
• Risk assessment and management strategies in bioprocesses: ensuring safe and compliant operations.

Module 7: Emerging Trends in Bioprocess Engineering

• Advancements in synthetic biology: using engineered organisms to produce complex bioproducts.
• The role of automation and robotics in bioprocess engineering: improving efficiency and reducing labor costs.
• Industrial biotechnology and the shift towards green processes: eco-friendly solutions in bio-manufacturing.
• Innovative bioreactor designs: microreactors, continuous processing, and 3D bioprinting technologies for bioproduction.
• Future trends: bioprocessing for bio-based chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and materials from renewable resources.

Final Project

• Design a Comprehensive Bioprocess System for a specific biotechnological product, such as biofuels, biochemicals, or pharmaceuticals.
• Include: feedstock selection, bioreactor design, fermentation strategy, downstream processing, and sustainability analysis.
• Example projects: designing a bioprocess for bioethanol production from agricultural waste, or a biopharmaceutical production system for recombinant proteins.