10007105Bioprocess Technology
Course Information
Description
Covers basic techniques of fermentation technology, including the principles of isolation, identification, improvement, preservation and growth of industrial microorganisms. Emphasizes the use of fermentation equipment to obtain products.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Demonstrate aseptic technique and sterility control procedures
    Assessment Strategies
    Laboratory activity: Completion of written observations
    Criteria
    Select the desired microorganisms
    Consistently sterilize all materials used in the fermentation process

  2. Evaluate various bioprocessing applications
    Assessment Strategies
    Laboratory performance, Written assignment
    Criteria
    Define “bioprocessing” and “fermentation”
    Identify cell types and microorganisms relevant to bioprocessing
    Explain the steps and equipment in industrial bioprocessing

  3. Identify local companies that are part of the bioprocessing industry
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral presentation, Written assessment
    Criteria
    Identify at least three local companies that are involved in bioprocessing
    Describe the types of jobs found at these companies and the skill sets required to be successful in these jobs
    Summarize the products produced by these companies and their relevance to customers

  4. Describe sources for identification of industrially-relevant microbes
    Assessment Strategies
    Laboratory activity/performance, Written assessment
    Criteria
    Describe various sources commonly mined for microbes with industrially relevant functions
    Describes at least three relevant industrial products that have been identified through bioprospecting
    Describe methods for primary, and secondary screening, and strain improvement
    Perform a primary screen and analyze relevant laboratory data

  5. Identify parameters to be optimized during process development
    Assessment Strategies
    Laboratory experiment: written observations and results
    Written assessment
    Presentation of laboratory data
    Criteria
    Describe the various steps and functions involved in upstream and downstream bioprocessing
    Experimentally optimize parameters in a bioprocessing process
    Analyze and explain data to determine optimal growth conditions

  6. Describe methods to determine cell growth
    Assessment Strategies
    Laboratory experiment/performance
    Written assessment
    Written documentation of results analysis
    Criteria
    Identify the different methods to determine cell density in a cell culture
    Differentiate between direct and indirect methods of cell counting
    Create a standard curve relating cell density spectrophotometrically to cell concentration
    Determine cell concentration of several cultures
    Describe the stages in the growth curve of a culture
    Calculate the generation time and growth rate of several cultures

  7. Prepare, assemble and effectively use fermentation equipment
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product
    Laboratory exercises/performance
    Written documentation of results analysis
    Criteria
    Identify the parts of a fermentation vessel and describe the functions of those parts
    Set up and take down a fermentation apparatus
    Use several types of fermentation vessels to grow cells

  8. Implement scale-up of a fermentation process
    Assessment Strategies
    Laboratory exercises/performance
    Written product
    Documentation of results analysis
    Criteria
    Define “scale-up”
    Discuss potential difficulties with the scaleup of a bioprocessing process
    Sale up a small-scale fermentation process

  9. Perform process optimization
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product
    Laboratory exercises/performance
    Written documentation of results analysis
    Oral summary/recommendation report
    Criteria
    Identify parameters to optimize in the laboratory
    Design an upstream bioprocessing scheme
    Perform a process optimization scheme
    Quantify the product obtained in the fermentation process
    Report optimal conditions and/or next steps

  10. Demonstrate a biosafety mindset
    Assessment Strategies
    Laboratory activities/performance
    Written product
    Criteria
    Describe procedures to minimize risks associated with biohazards in the biotechnology laboratory
    Identify and use appropriate personal protective equipment
    Identify the risks associated with working with various biohazards encountered in a biomanufacturing facility

  11. Design various fermentation media for specific fermentation applications
    Assessment Strategies
    Laboratory exercise/performance
    Written product
    Criteria
    Identify media components that affect production and biomass formation
    Compare media formulations to yield data

  12. Demonstrate documentation practices aligned with industry standards
    Assessment Strategies
    Laboratory notebook assessment
    Written products
    Criteria
    Follow good documentation practices in all laboratory settings
    Describe the principles of data integrity in the life sciences industry