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Module Biopharmaceutical Upstream
Module Biopharmaceutical Upstream
Credits: 5
Module This module covers the cell culture of both microbial and mammalian systems, setting it
Description: in the context of pharmaceutically bio-molecule production.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
LO1 Evaluate the significance of biotechnology as a method for the production of pharmaceutically
active substances.
LO2 Examine the key aspects of bioreactor design and contrast the various types of reactors
including application, operation and limitations.
LO3 Evaluate options for media design, control and feeding regimes of cell culture systems.
LO4 Compare and contrast the key aspects of mammalian and microbial cell culture systems and
their ability to express biopharmaceutical products.
LO5 Conduct, write and critically evaluate biopharmaceutical upstream based practicals.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module.
You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have
considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior
learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules)
which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
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BIOT7006: Biopharmaceutical Upstream
Indicative Content
Overview of Biotechnological Processes
Function of antibodies and their corresponding therapeutic uses. Production of recombinant monoclonal
antibodies. Production of specific biopharmaceutical products: cytokines, therapeutic proteins and
peptides, antibodies and vaccines.
Media Design and Cell Lines
Sources and validation of industrial cell lines. Cell Preservation and Cell Banking. Media design;
constituents including serum and serum-free media. Preparation and sterilization. Inoculum preparation.
Safety issues.
Reactor design
Bioreactor Design; basic construction, instrumentation, agitation, aeration, gas exchange and mass
transfer, impellers, baffles and shear effects. Different types of bioreactors including single use disposable
technologies; wavebags.
Reactor Operation
Growth kinetics. Batch, fed batch and perfusion systems. Cleaning, sterilisation & contamination control.
Inoculation Techniques. Sampling. Scale-up issues. Continuous processing incorporating Process
Analytical Technologies.
Laboratory Programme
Stirred tank reactor design and associated instrumentation - temperature, DO and pH probes,
maintenance and calibration of same. Reactor preparation and sterilisation. Cell preservation, counting
and viability. Growth curve collation.
Assessment Breakdown %
Course Work 50.00%
End of Module Formal Examination 50.00%
Course Work
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome % Assessment
addressed of Date
total
Practical/Skills Laboratory practicals and reports 2,3,4,5 30.0 Every Second
Evaluation Week
Short Answer Overview of BioPharma Industry. Media 1,2,3 20.0 Week 6
Questions Design and Cell Lines. Bioreactor Design
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a
requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.
The institute reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment
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BIOT7006: Biopharmaceutical Upstream
Module Workload
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Module Resources
Cenk Undey, Duncan Low, Jose Monteiro Cardoso de Menezes, Mel Koch 2012, PAT Applied in
Biopharmaceutical Process Development and Manufacturing: An Enabling Tool for
Quality-by-Design , 1st Ed., CRC Press USA [ISBN: 9781439829455]
Walsh, Gary 2003, Protein Biotechnology and Biochemistry, Wiley [ISBN: 0470843276.]
Regine Eibl and Dieter Eibl, 2011, Single-Use Technology in Biopharmaceutical Manufacture, 1st
Ed., Wiley and Blackwell [ISBN: 978-0470433515]
Brian McNeil and Linda M. Harvey 2008, Practical fermentation technology, J. Wiley [ISBN:
978-0-470-01434-9]
Webpage: Biopharmaceutical
http://www.bioinfo.com
Webpage: Biopharmaceutical
http://www.bio.org
Webpage: Parenteral Drug Association
http://www.pda.org
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Module Delivered in
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