Multidisciplinary Lab Project 2

The multidisciplinary lab project, also known as the “Gene to Protein project,” will be a “learning by doing” project. The students will be responsible for the bioproduction of a protein using E. coli as a host. If they complete both parts of the project (Parts 1 and 2, as students in the Biohealth master’s program do), they will begin with strain construction and proceed to pilot-scale production and purification of the protein. Bioprocess engineering is a highly interdisciplinary field of study. The students—and future professionals in the field—will benefit from project-based learning with a significant practical component, where they can actively experience the interconnection between biology, engineering, and the physical sciences.

Part 2 of the project will focus on the “production process design and pilot-scale production” of the recombinant protein using a high-cell-density fed-batch culture. It will be a multidisciplinary, hands-on training program in bioprocess engineering and will be organized over three distinct periods:

-Week 1: In the Learning Lab, students will participate in workshops to design and plan a production process based on the available equipment and data (scientific papers, reports, websites, and previous results from the “Multidisciplinary Lab Project 1” course unit). Based on the bottlenecks identified in the production of recombinant proteins in E. coli, students will select the culture process to be used, define the production objectives, simulate the culture (planning objective), design a sampling plan, and formulate the culture medium...

-Week 2: In practical training labs using pilot-scale equipment (a 20-liter bioreactor), students will set up the bioreactor and prepare everything needed to conduct the pilot-scale culture. They will be responsible for monitoring the culture and processing real-time data in order to detect and correct deviations from the expected progress of the culture.

-Week 3: In the learning labs, students will process and analyze the data. They will be responsible for interpreting and discussing the results and for writing a professional report.

This project offers students a unique opportunity to tackle a real-world bioprocess engineering application—from gene to protein—with the goal of equipping them to be immediately effective in their future careers at biotechnology companies.This project will provide students with additional training in biological concepts, while also preparing them to communicate and collaborate with colleagues from different disciplines, as many companies operate with multidisciplinary teams working within a single functional unit. Students will work in multidisciplinary teams, as they have been trained in various disciplines (biology, biochemical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, etc.) and have also acquired diverse skills through their internships.

Part 2 of the project will include 6 learning objectives (LO):

-LO1: Students will be able to define the goals of a bioproduction process and establish an appropriate culture strategy, which implies that: -students understand the principles of operating modes, particularly the fed-batch mode; -students understand the fundamentals of E. coli metabolism and growth, particularly the overflow mechanism leading to acetate production

-LO2: Students will be able to plan and simulate bioproduction (be able to develop experimental designs, ...)

-LO3: Students will understand the functions of a bioreactor and apply this knowledge during the lab. Students will be able to set up the device...

-LO4: Students will be able to analyze and interpret key elements of the culture data (primarily online data) to operate the bioreactor

-LO5: Students will be able to document and analyze data correctly and scientifically

-LO6: Students will be able to work efficiently as part of a team and manage their project

Know-how and skills, in a nutshell:

-Bioprocess engineering (Fed-batch culture design, planning, performance, analysis...)

-Project management, communication, and teamwork in a cross-functional and interdisciplinary field

-Reporting (production of deliverables such as summary notes, calculation sheets, oral presentations, and reports)

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Bioprocess Engineering (M1 Course HAV811V “Bioprocess Engineering—BATCH” or equivalent, and M2 Course HAV930V “Bioprocess Engineering—Fed-Batch and Continuous” or equivalent)

Recommended prerequisites:

Project Management

English (reading and speaking)

Knowledge assessment is conducted entirely through continuous assessment (CCI). Each learning objective is evaluated through various types of assessments: deliverables such as summary notes, calculation sheets, oral presentations, and reports; interviews conducted by peers or teachers; and anonymous peer assessment of team performance...