Biotechnology

Wake Tech offers a variety of non-degree, short classes and certificate training programs in biotechnology, including hands-on training in biomanufacturing and biopharmaceutical operations in a simulated industrial, current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) environment.

For those interested in earning a degree to work in the biotech industry, visit Wake Tech's Biotechnology Department.

Financial assistance available

Workforce Continuing Education offers financial assistance for many workforce training programs through the Propel program and other resources. Email [email protected] for more information.

Course details and registration information

Course
Operations in Biotechnology Processes: An Overview
Name
SEF-79604
Available Classes
Not currently offered.
Description Course Outline Requirements Intended Audience More Details
Description
This course will focus on the details of the typical processing procedures utilized to produce a biopharmaceutical - a pharmaceutical produced by biotechnology. An understanding of the science and the equipment commonly used in each process step will be presented along with a review of the basic biochemistry involved in biotechnology and current pharmaceutical applications. Hands-on laboratory exercises will provide experience in the fermentation, product isolation, and purification of a protein.
Course Objectives
  1. Become familiar with the fundamental science behind biotechnology and its application in the pharmaceutical industry
  2. Learn the basic science, equipment, and processing steps typically utilized in the production, isolation and purification of a biopharmaceutical product
  3. Gain hands-on experience and familiarity with common instrumentation used in the production, isolation and purification of a protein
Outline of Instruction
  1. Lecture
    a. Central dogma (gene to codon)
    b. Cells and cell types
    c. Products
    d. Lab experiment overview
    e. The pharmaceutical environment
    f. Basic cGMP principles
    g. Recombinant DNA techniques
    h. Arabinose operon
  2. Labs
    a. Shaker flask operation
    b. Bioreactor component identification
    c. Arabinose usage as an inducer
  3. Lecture
    a. Brief history of fermentation, metabolism and growth
    b. Expression systems for protein production
    c. Fermentation equipment, control, monitoring
    d. Fermentation design and sterility
    e. Fermentation production flow
  4. Labs
    a. Growth run using fermentor
    b. Cell pellet sonication and centrifugation
    c. Tour of upstream facilities
  5. Lecture
    a. Amino acid chemistry
    b. Nature of proteins
    c. Downstream processing
    d. Cell disruption
    e. Solid-liquid separations (centrifugation, filtration)
  6. Labs
    a. Chromatography sample preparation
    b. Identify components in chromatography system
  7. Lecture
    a. Product concentration and purification operations (ultrafiltration, evaporation, precipitation, liquid extraction, crystallization)
    b. Chromatography (size exclusion, affinity, ionic exchange, hydrophobic interaction)
    c. Dialysis/diafiltration
  8. Labs
    a. Chromatography operations
    b. Tour of downstream facilities
  9. Lecture
    a. Protein refolding techniques
    b. Final concentration, formulation, filtration, drying, final packaging
  10. Review and assessment
Contact Hours
32
CEU's
3.2
Industry Standard, State, or National Certification
No
CE to CU Articulation
No
Prerequisites
Incumbent worker in the industry, entry level process technician, successfully completion of BioWork course, or equivalent.
Text and Supplies Needed
Clinical Site/Special Facilities
Requirements for Successful Completion of this Course
  1. Attendance 90% or above
  2. Participation
Accreditation/Special Approval Requirements
Intended Audience
Specific Industry or Business Support Needs
Industry or Job Titles Related to training Outcomes for Employment
Related Courses
Course Contact Information
Bionetwork Manager