This course emphasizes the theoretical and practical aspects of laboratory microbial fermentation and scale-up. Participants will get hands-on experience setting up and monitoring fermentors, as well as conducting practical experiments that include the effects of medium components on cell density, mixing, aeration, and oxygen mass transfer in fermentation systems, analysis and control of key parameters for product optimization, and computer control of fermentation. The laboratory work will be supported by presentations and discussions on the fundamentals of microbial culture, aseptic techniques, kinetics of fermentation, recombinant microorganisms, scale-up strategies, downstream processing, economic considerations, regulatory aspects, and cGMP.

Approximately 70% of the time is spent in lecture and 30% is in the laboratory.

"The interesting lectures, knowledgeable speakers, and the friendly staff made this course excellent for anyone new to the fermentation industry, or people looking for a refresher on important details."
Jennifer Hamlet, Fermentation Process Development Engineer, Abbott Laboratories

Day 1
(Registration begins at 8:00 a.m.)

Lecture
• Kinetics of fermentation
• Design of bioreactors for downstream processing
• Computer control of fermentation

Hands-on Laboratory
• Hands-on operation of lab scale fermentors
- fermentor preparation
- medium preparation
- probe calibration
- sterilization

Day 2

Lecture
• Aeration and oxygen mass transfer
• Theory and practice of DO and pH probes
• Microbial growth and bioprocessing

Hands-on Laboratory
• Preparing fermentors for inoculation, probe calibration

Day 3

Lecture
• Plasmid stability
• Recombinant microorganisms and strain improvement
• Evaluation of oxygen transfer

Hands-on Laboratory
• Evaluation of oxygen transfer coefficients and rates

Day 4
(Adjourns at Noon)

Lecture
• Media formulations and nutrient requirements
• cGMP, validation and regulatory aspects of bioprocess fermentation

 

Faculty

Ali Demirci, Ph.D., Penn State, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering
John Enders, Ph.D., Delmont Laboratories
Vikram Gossain, Ph.D., New Brunswick
Kathleen Harrison, Independent Consultant
Michael McMurtrie, Broadley James Corporation
Allen Phillips, Ph.D., Penn State, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Ronald Porter, Ph.D., Penn State, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Beatrice Sirakaya, M.S., Penn State, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Song Tan, Ph.D., Penn State, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

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REGISTER ONLINE

Early Registration $1995

Regular Registration $2195
(within 4 weeks of course start date)

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