Bioprocess Engineering

Researchers in Bioprocess Engineering have common interests that encompass various aspects of biotechnology and engineering:

  • Fundamental Work In Biomolecular Interactions

  • Protein Design, Growth, and Characterization

  • Enzyme and Microbial Technology

  • Biosensors and/or DNA Based Analysis (DNA microarrays)

  • Bioseparations

  • Bioreactors

Research is currently being carried out to study various applications of bioprocess engineering, which in many cases crosses over into a wide range of other chemical engineering topics. Methods of food processing and food preservation are being investigated, as well as the production of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and sweeteners.  Methods of air and wastewater treatment are also being studied, as well as various aspects of the pulp and paper industry, and the development of viable sources of bioenergy.  In addition, research is being done on microfluidics as applied to bioreactors and DNA chips.  There are also some natural links to the field of biomedical engineering, with studies of drug metabolism, tissue engineering, and the development and use of biologically-based agent for therapeutic purposes.
 

Facilities

The Bioprocess Engineering Cluster has access to a wide variety of equipment though out the university, including:

  • High-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC)
  • Gas Chromatograph (GC)
  • Atomic Force Microscope
  • Tissue Culture Facility
  • Bioreactors
  • Particle size analyzer

All equipment is situated in a laboratory environment.
 
The Particle Size analyzer is used for toxicological assessment of systems to determine levels of particulates   We can also do analysis of agricultural production and processing and production plant effluent analysis.