Fundamentals and Frontiers

This intensive short course is an abbreviated version of the annual course offered at the University of Minnesota. The course is specifically designed for engineers, cell biologists, and scientists interested in state-of-the-art cell culture technology. This course has thus far attracted participants from more than 35 countries since it was first offered in 1986. This course focuses on the fundamentals of cell biology and biochemical engineering. A new format for lectures and notes has been adopted to emphasize the major strength of this course: the essential information and analysis is packaged and delivered in a most comprehensible fashion to the audience by experts in the field. After a concise review of the current issues in cell biology and physiology, course participants are introduced to the rationale behind the selection, operation and design of cell culture reactors and to overall process design and optimization. Included in this offering is an in-depth look at various analytical techniques for process characterization, cell culture technology in tissue engineering and gene therapy. Emphasis is given to new instrumentation developments and strategies for the control of nutrient feeding and perfusion for cell culture engineering.

Audience

To benefit most from this course, participants should have either a general understanding of bioprocessing or a familiarity with microbial or cell culture and tissue processes. For bioprocessing scientists and engineers, this course is an up-to-date intensive review and analysis of cell culture processes. For those participants new to cell culture, the course is an important overview to cell technology and an efficient introduction to critical issues in cell culture process development. For experienced cell culture technologists, this course offers a refreshing look and critical evaluation of various aspects of the technology.

Format