Concentration in Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering

Advances in molecular and cell biology are providing astounding insights into how cells, tissues and organs work. New theories are describing how biomolecules are built. The sequencing of the human genome has unlocked the vast library of information programmed into cells. Breakthroughs in cell biology are explaining how cells form tissues. Engineers are needed to convert these cellular and biomolecular advances into technologies to improve quality of life.

The following list provides a sampling of recent biotechnologies benefiting from the work of chemical engineers:

• Sorona™ (DuPont) - a new polymer fiber with superior properties that is produced from corn using engineered biocatalysts rather than petrochemicals.
• Lovastatin™ (Merck) - a cholesterol-lowering drug synthesized with the aid of fermentation.
• GlucoWatch Biographer® (Cygnus) - continuously and noninvasively reports glucose levels to diabetics, leading to more convenient and superior administration of insulin.
• Enbrel® (Amgen/Immunex) - a genetically engineered biopharmaceutical which seeks out and "mops up" overproduced growth factors in the blood stream which lead to rheumatoid arthritis.
• Paclitaxel® (Taxol, NaPro Biotherapeutics) - a cancer therapeutic originally isolated from the Pacific Yew tree and now produced in a bioprocess.
• Cerezyme® (Genzyme) - an enzyme used to treat Gaucher's disease produced by recombinant DNA technology.
• TransCyte® (Advanced Tissue Sciences) - the first human cell-based temporary skin substitute for the treatment of burns to be approved by the FDA.
• Pseudomonas stutzeri KC - injected into the ground to clean-up carbon tetrachloride contamination from groundwater in Schoolcraft, MI. As contaminated groundwater flowed through the "biocurtain" formed from a bacterial biofilm in the soil, the pollutant was transformed into non-toxic degradation products.

The Bio-Concentration Curriculum will provide fundamental and specialized knowledge to engineers for using biotechnology in industrial applications, pharmaceutical processing, health care, environmental treatment and agricultural production.

The Bio-Concentration comprises three required courses: CHE 246, CHE 347, and CHE 448. Additional elective courses providing further background in the bio-area can be taken in the Departments of Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, or Materials Science and Engineering. The Bio-Concentration can be taken by Chemical Engineering majors and other qualified engineering students with adequate backgrounds in the chemical, physical, and engineering sciences.

The sample program below shows how electives may be selected within the General Curriculum to meet the Bio-Concentration requirements.

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SAMPLE BIO-CONCENTRATION PROGRAM

128 credits minimum required for graduation.

Notes

1. CHE 246: Introduction to Biotechnology (pre-req.: CHEM 151)
2. Optional Bio-electives may be chosen from CHE 442, CHEM 441, CHEM 442, BIOL 308, BIOL 312, BIOL 324, BIOL 501, MSE 512, BIOM 201 or other bio-oriented courses in the Departments of Biology, Biomedical Engineering, and Chemistry.
3. CHE 347: Biochemical Engineering (pre-req.: CHE 246, CHE 321; co-req. CHE 318, CHE 322 or consent of instructor)
4. CHE 448: Bioseparations Engineering (pre-req.: CHE 322 or consent of instructor)