MEB 428
Advanced Bioprocessing Research

This course is open to MBS, MS, PPC and PPM students that are interested in getting hands-on bioprocessing research experience. Students will review and present their analysis of one or two bioprocessing journal publications to learn how to understand and draw from these. Students will select a suitable bioprocessing research project and prepare an accompanying research proposal. They will present and defend their proposal to the instructor panel and the other students. The students will conduct the research independently or as part of a team, followed by presenting and defending their findings to the instructor panel and the other students. Each student/team will provide a written report for a final grade.

Although all research projects will have a bioprocessing focus, there is a wide range of latitude allowed. The projects may cover anything from CHO or stem cell culture to bioseparations to fermented beverages to biofuels. It is expected that most projects will be lab based and will take advantage of the extensive equipment and facilities of the Amgen Bioprocessing Center at KGI. However, the projects need not be lab based, and may even be primarily focused on the business aspects of bioprocessing. For instance, construction of a new SuperPro process model complete with economic analysis would make for a suitable project. Development of a new theoretical approach or mechanistic model would also make for a suitable project. The course instructors will gladly offer suggestions for suitable projects. All selected projects will be subject to the approval of the course instructors.

When appropriate, more than one student may work on a given project. Also, when appropriate, certain projects may be continued on to the next semester. Both of these provisions will allow students to take on more complex projects, if so desired. It is expected that certain projects may be suitable for eventual publication in a bioprocessing journal and/or provide preliminary data for future funding applications.

MEng program students only

1. Understand how to interpret and critique primary, scientific, bioprocessing focused literature and to draw from that application to further research.
2. Understand how to write, present and defend a suitable research proposal.
3. Learn how to conduct research, analyze data and present findings, along with proposal for next steps.
4. Understand how to write a research report, presenting background, approach, results, conclusions and future steps.