Fall semester is here. Welcome back, students!
Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing
CDMO Protein Bioprocessing Facility Fermentation/Protein Purification non-cGMP and cGMP Production for Phase-1 clinical
The Biocats, Vol. 1, Iss. 3, September 1st, 2024
Another semester has started and we are excited to welcome our students back to campus!
Highlights in this 3rd issue
First off, CBB Annual Conference is almost here, so get ready to be wowed. Hot topics are coming!
This year's conference features experts from industry and academia as well as graduate student speakers. Also, there's free food!
From the biotech industry:
The Founder & CEO of ANNIKKI GMBH , Ortwin Ertl , will discuss Annikki's environmentally & economically sustainable methods creating bio-based chemicals from waste agricultural products by means of unique enzyme and fractionation technologies. Read Mr. Ertl's presentation abstract HERE.
From academia:
Dr. Nicole Hashemi , Associate Professor from Iowa State University Mechanical Engineering will discuss how her research group engineers microstructures to mimic the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the placental barrier as part of her research to understand the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases. Read Dr. Hashemi's presentation abstract HERE.
From Indiana University School of Medicine , Dr. John Turchi , the Tom and Julie Wood Family Foundation Professor of Lung Cancer Research and Professor of Medicine and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, will provide an overview of his efforts to develop state-of-the-art therapeutics that act on the DNA Damage Response (DDR) system. The DDR is an intricate network of biocatalysts that works in harmony to seek and repair DNA damage and, in doing so, helps to enhance the stability of the human genome. His research program focuses on designing novel therapeutics by creating small molecule inhibitors for selected kinase enzymes located upstream in the DDR system that can potentially fight cancer.?Read Dr. Turchi's presentation abstract HERE.
Continent hopping is not just for travel enthusiasts. For Dr. Jana Shen , Professor and Codirector of Computer-Aided Drug Design Center,?in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy , her academic journey spans three continents as she attempts to expand the world-wide scope of proteins available for that are druggable, which means proteins that can be chemical targets for future pharmaceuticals. In her CBB presentation, Dr. Shen will discuss how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used to discover covalently druggable sites across the proteome and its implications for drug discovery. Read Dr. Shen's presentation abstract HERE.
Dr. Florence Williams , Assistant Professor of Chemistry, at the University of Iowa , will showcase her research group's progress towards uncovering the mechanism of action for the neurotrophic molecule, trans-banglene. In an unexpected finding, her results, using a cell model, reveal that trans-banglene?alters the regulation of iron-binding and iron storage proteins, which aligns with previously published findings that illustrate how iron levels relates to many neurodegenerative disease profiles. GO HAWKS! Read Dr. Williams's presentation abstract HERE.
Rose Gogal , graduate student in the Schnieders research group in the University of Iowa Biomedical Science Graduate Program , will discuss a part of her dissertation work on leveraging statistical mechanics for protein acid-base chemistry prediction. Read Rose's presentation abstract HERE.
Ali Khan , graduate student in the Tanas research group in the University of Iowa Department of Pathology , will present a part of his dissertation work on the regulation of TAZ/YAP and mTORC1 by PI3K (a serine/threonine kinase) and how this kinase enzyme can be synergistically targeted in sarcomas. Read Ali's presentation abstract HERE.
Chris Vidmar , graduate student in the Fiegel research group in the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at the University of Iowa, will present his dissertation progress in exploring the interactions between chemically produced bacterial ghosts and G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Read Christopher's presentation abstract HERE.
The CBB welcomes 2024 CBB/NIH Fellows
Thanks to the generous T32 Training Grant awarded to the CBB by the The National Institutes of Health (NIH),?the CBB is able to support six new fellows in their academic journeys. In addition, the CBB is funding the renewal of four fellows who have been with CBB for the past year. READ about our fellows' backgrounds, research interests, and what they like to do outside of the lab.
Get to know one of last year's fellows, Pornpoj Phruttiwanichakun .
Pornpoj (Jay) obtained his PharmD in 2019 from ???????????????? and an MS in Pharmaceutics from University College London Pharmacy School of Pharmacy in 2020 before joining the PhD in Pharmaceutics program under Dr. Aliasger Salem ’s supervision. His current research focuses on mRNA and other translatable nucleic acid delivery for regenerative medicine, particularly bone regeneration. In his free time, Jay enjoys caring for his houseplants, playing online video games with friends (mostly Dota 2 and League of Legends), and baking desserts (though the first batch of every recipe turns out rather unique and exotic).
Implementation of ACE Quality Management System & a New 1000-L Fermentor in Progress
The CBB is in the process of implementing the ACE Quality Management System by PSC Biotech Corporation to streamline our quality processes to better serve our clients. The implementation of ACE will speed up our efforts to move away from paper-based processes.
In addition, the CBB is working on installing a new 1000-L fermentor to increase our manufacturing capacity. The installation will start this fall and is expected to last until early next year. Our production schedule will be affected and, therefore, we ask for your patience during this installation process.
As a #CDMO, the CBB always aims to ensure consistency, minimize errors, and continuously improve our manufacturing & quality processes. We know looking for a bioprocessing CDMO partner that you can trust is time consuming and challenging! With 30+ years of non-cGMP & cGMP manufacturing experience, the CBB can help clients develop, scale, optimize, or produce their custom products from bench-top to industrial scale. Our services include upstream & downstream cGMP or non-cGMP protein production.
Upstream Processing
Downstream Processing
cGMP Production
To learn more, visit our website: cbb.research.uiowa.edu
To request services, please fill out our quick Client Request Form.
领英推荐
CBB Staff Spotlights
Madison Owen, CBB Research Assistant
Maddi Owen has a BA in Psychology with a minor in Criminology, Law and Justice from the University of Iowa (2017), where she worked under Ryan LaLumiere as a research assistant studying drug-seeking behaviors in rodents using optogenetic methods. She served the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids area as a youth counselor and social worker before returning to the University of Iowa to pursue a BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2023). She worked at IDT in the high-throughput quality control team, performing mass spectrometry, capillary electrophoresis and HPLC to analyze oligonucleotides. Maddi joined the CBB in 2023 as a research assistant, supporting the fermentation production and downstream analytical process teams. Maddi spends her time playing online PC games, seeking out new science fiction?media, working on watercolor and ink projects, and experimenting with her electronic drum set.
Eric Brosch, CBB Research Assistant
Eric has a BA degree in Biochemistry with a minor in Chemistry and an Entrepreneurial Management Certificate. With two years of experience working on the fermentation team, helping to scale-up products and develop processes has been one of his favorite parts of his work at CBB. Being a snail enthusiast, Eric has four pet snails, he loves to learn about these incredible yet mysterious animals. In his spare time, he volunteers at the food pantry as a delivery driver.?
Popular Upcoming Events & Holidays
Labor Day - Monday, September 2nd (University offices closed)
First Day of National Hispanic Heritage Month - Sunday, September 15th
September Equinox - Sunday, September 22nd
German American Day - Sunday, October 6th
Indigenous People's Day - Monday, October 14th
Diwali/Deepavali - Thursday, October 31st (Hindu Holiday)
Halloween - Thursday, October 31st
Daylight Saving Time ends - Sunday, November 3rd
Election Day - Tuesday, November 5th (Please Vote!)
Veterans Day - Monday, November 11th (Federal Holiday)
Thanksgiving - Thursday, November 28th
Important Community Resources (Iowa City/Cedar Rapids areas)
CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank: 1121 S Gilbert Ct, Iowa City. (319) 351-0140. Services provided: general assistance, emergency, food, mental health.
Community and Family Resources/Synchrony Services: 430 Southgate Ave., Iowa City. (319) 351-9072. Services provided: general assistance, medical care, mental health.
Johnson County General Assistance & Social Services: Health and Human Services Bldg, 855 S Dubuque St, Ste 202B, Iowa City. (319)-356-6090. Services provided: general assistance.
Your Life Iowa: Iowa Department of Public Health. (855) 581-8111. Services provided: general assistance, medical care, substance abuse, gambling, & mental health information.
Shelter House: 429 Southgate Ave., Iowa City. (319) 351-0326. Services provided: a 70-bed emergency shelter and drop-in services: children’s play area, computer lab (limited hours), mailing address service, recreation area with TV, shower and laundry facility, telephone access, weekly nurse’s clinic.
Student Legal Services: G115 Iowa Memorial Union, Iowa City. (319)-335-3276. [email protected]. Services provided: free legal advice and representation.
This is our last issue for this year. Be on the lookout for our next issue in January, 2025.
Thank you for reading and please provide us with some feedback so we can constantly improve. We wish you a wonderful fall semester and fun-filled holidays!