Capabilities of the University of Iowa’s Center of Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing
(CBB)
Milind Deshpande
University of Iowa
The Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing (CBB) began as a group of faculty who in
1983 began collaborations. Along with CBB’s academic, education and research mission CBB
also works closely with Government laboratories and private biotech companies on the
development of new fermentation processes, scale up and technology transfer.
CBB offers molecular biology (Cloning and Protein Expression) services including
genomic DNA and cDNA library construction, PCR amplification of target genes, expression,
vector construction, and recombinant baculovirus generation. CBB offers a range of
recombinant protein expression platforms, including E. coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichia
pastoris, and baculovirus/insect cells.
CBB’s Research and Process Development (RPD) laboratories started operations in 1996.
The 13,000-square-foot laboratories house state-of-the-art contract fermentation and
processing operations. The RPD facility includes a large capacity shakers in incubators, 24 stateof-the-art highly instrumented, computer-controlled and monitored, fermentors. CBB has a
suite four 1 liter DASGIP vessels, a suite eight 2-liter capacity Biostat B fermentors. Further
optimization can be done using four 30-liter fermentors, and a 75 liter fermentor. The
optimized fermentations can then be scaled up to 100 liter fermentors (2) and a 1,000 liter to
obtain biomass for the product recovery.
Complementary to the fermentation laboratory, CBB has a wide variety of downstream
processing, and analytical equipment. The CBB is unique in its facilities, experience and
capabilities. For the cell harvest, CBB has Sharples and continuous disc-stack centrifuges.
Multiple microfluidizers are used for efficient cell breakage. CBB has several protein purification
systems including Äkta Explorer and Äkta Pilot systems. CBB can conduct ultrafiltration and
diafiltrations at more than 1,000 liter volumes using high capacity Tangential Flow Filtration
systems. CBB has rotary evaporators, continuous solvent extraction system, Flash
Chromatography systems, Moving Bed Simulator chromatography and a Freeze Dryer. The
analytical equipment includes HPLC systems, GC, LC-MS and protein gel documentation
systems. CBB has a methanol sensor and controller system for Pichia fermentations,
For biologic molecules for clinical trial material, CBB offers a Good Manufacturing
Practices laboratory with up to 300 liter capacity fermentor, and suitable continuous a LAPX
404 centrifuge and high-capacity Äkta process system in a clean room environment.
CBB has worked with E. coli, Pichia pastoris, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, algal cultures for
recombinant protein expression. CBB has extensive experience in process optimization and
scale up capabilities.CBB has safely grown BL2 pathogens at 100 liter scale. CBB is also involved
in the development of several other fermentation processes for diverse microbial products
including biotransformations and biocatalysis. CBB is seeking collaborations with industrial
partners in DARPA’s Flexible Microbial Manufacturing Program. CBB can propose some
expression systems with multiple products followed by process development and scale up.