Amgen Bioprocessing Center

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Amgen Bioprocessing Center

The Amgen Bioprocessing Center is one of the most important teaching and research laboratories at Keck Graduate Institute. Founded in December 2004 thanks to a $2 million gift from The Amgen Foundation, the Center serves as the basis for the bioprocessing focus track offered as part of KGI's Master of Bioscience (MBS) degree program.

The Amgen Bioprocessing Center is a state-of-the-art facility where MBS students learn the skills necessary to become leaders in bioprocessing. Bioprocessing refers to the manufacture of valuable products through the culture of living microorganisms. Products from bioprocessing include many life-saving biopharmaceuticals and antibiotics, renewable biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, and fermented beverages, such as wine and beer. Today, over one-third of all medical products in active development are biopharmaceuticals. Life-changing therapeutics such as human insulin and human growth hormone (for children with growth hormone deficiency) have improved the quality of life for thousands of people suffering from diabetes, cancer, arthritis, cardiovascular disease and infectious diseases.

The Amgen Bioprocessing Center is run by Dr. Matthew Croughan, KGI's George B. and Joy Rathmann Professor. Dr. Croughan joined KGI in February 2006 after a nationwide search, bringing with him more than 20 years of experience in research, engineering, bioprocessing and manufacturing. In addition to launching the Center, Dr. Croughan has crafted the curriculum for the bioprocessing focus track, taught numerous courses in bioprocessing and assembled the Amgen Bioprocessing Center Advisory Board (ABCAB). Consisting of scientists, engineers, academics and corporate executives, ABCAB provides support and advice to strengthen the mission of the Amgen Bioprocessing Center.