June 19, 2024

Bioprocessing Overview:
Upstream and Downstream
Processes
Agenda

•Introduction to Bioprocessing
•Key Players in Bioprocessing
•Types of Products Generated
•Industrial vs. Laboratory Scale Bioprocessing
•Steps in Industrial Bioprocessing
•Upstream Processing
•Downstream Processing
•Conclusion and Future Videos
Overview

Introduction to Bioprocessing

● Bioprocessing utilizes biological resources, such as living cells, to produce

valuable products.

● These products include enzymes, metabolites, and recombinant proteins,

Concept of
Bioprocessing which have significant biomedical relevance.

● Bioprocessing occurs in a controlled environment, often within

bioreactors, to ensure optimal conditions for cell growth and product
formation.
Bioprocessing

Key Players in Bioprocessing

Bacteria Mammalian Cells Plant Cells and Cell-Free Systems

Bacteria are commonly used due to their Mammalian cells are used for producing Plant cells can be used for large-scale
rapid growth and ease of genetic complex proteins and therapeutic production of proteins and metabolites.
manipulation. They can produce a wide agents. They provide the necessary post- Cell-free systems utilize cellular
range of products including enzymes translational modifications required for machinery without living cells, allowing
and metabolites. the functionality of these products. for controlled production of biological
products.
Overview

Types of Products Generated

Secreted Metabolites Produced by cells and secreted into the surrounding medium. These can include
antibiotics, vitamins, and organic acids, which are valuable in various industrial
and medical applications.

Enzymes Biocatalysts produced by cells that speed up biochemical reactions. Examples

include proteases, lipases, and amylases, which are crucial in research, diagnostics,
and therapy.

Recombinant Proteins Proteins engineered through recombinant DNA technology. They include
therapeutic proteins like insulin, monoclonal antibodies, and growth factors used
in medical treatments and research.
Comparison

Industrial vs. Laboratory Scale Bioprocessing

Laboratory Scale Bioprocessing Industrial Scale Bioprocessing

● Small-scale reactions, similar to cooking for a ● Large-scale reactions, analogous to cooking for a
family whole village
● Uses small vessels, such as flasks or bioreactors in ● Employs large bioreactors and fermentation tanks
the milliliter to liter range with capacities in the thousands of liters
● Mainly focuses on research and development, ● Aims to produce large quantities of biological
producing small quantities of biological products products for commercial distribution
Industrial Process

Steps in Industrial Bioprocessing

Seed Stock Scaling Up Culture Bioreactor

Preparation Volume Operation Product Harvesting

Start with a seed stock containing Gradually increase the culture Transfer the scaled-up culture into a Once the cells have produced the desired
the desired bacteria or cell line. volume from small flasks to larger bioreactor. Control environmental product, harvest the cells and begin
Transfect the cells with the vessels. This ensures that sufficient conditions such as temperature, pH, and initial purification steps. This typically
oxygen levels to optimize cell growth and involves centrifugation and filtration to
recombinant plasmid to express the biomass is available for large-scale
product formation. separate the product from the cells.
desired product. production.

Prepared seed stock Increased culture volume Bioreactor setup Harvested cells
Transfected cells Sufficient biomass Optimized growth conditions Initial purified product
Bioprocessing

Upstream Processing

Inoculum Development Scaling Up Culture Volume

Initial development of the microbial culture from a Gradually increasing the culture volume from small
seed stock. This involves transfecting bacteria with the vessels to larger ones. This step ensures sufficient
desired plasmid to express the target product. biomass for industrial production.

Bioreactor Operation Optimizing Growth Conditions

Transferring the culture to bioreactors where the main Adjusting parameters like temperature, pH, and
production occurs. Bioreactors provide a controlled nutrient supply to maximize cell growth and product
environment for optimal cell growth and product yield. Genetic engineering may also be employed to
generation. enhance production efficiency.
Bioprocessing

Downstream Processing

Product Recovery Purification

After bioreactor cultivation, the product must be Purification involves chromatographic methods such
separated from cells and other impurities. Techniques as HPLC, ion exchange, or hydrophobic interaction to
like centrifugation and filtration are commonly used. isolate the product at high purity levels.

Polishing Quality Control

Polishing ensures the product meets purity standards, Critical for verifying the product’s functionality and
often exceeding 98%. It involves further fine-tuning safety. Includes rigorous testing to ensure the product
and removal of residual impurities. is market-ready.
Summary

Conclusion

In this presentation, we explored the fundamentals of bioprocessing,

including the roles of different cell types, the kinds of products that can
be generated, and the distinctions between laboratory and industrial
scales. We delved into the steps of both upstream and downstream
processes, highlighting the importance of controlled environments,
scaling up, and purification techniques.
Thank you.