The Golden LEAF Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC) is a cross-disciplinary instructional center providing education and training to develop skilled professionals for the biomanufacturing industry. Biomanufacturing refers to the use of living cells to produce end products, or components used in end products. Examples include proteins such as insulin, vaccines for meningitis and pneumonia, and amino acids, which are used in the production of both food and drugs.
BTEC provides hands-on education and training in biomanufacturing and bioprocessing involving simulated cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice) production of high-value biomolecules using cell growth and expression, recovery and purification processes. A part of North Carolina State University, BTEC operates under the auspices of the university's College of Engineering.
In 2003, North Carolina's Golden LEAF foundation provided more than $38 million to design, build and equip BTEC, as part of a larger grant to establish the Biomanufacturing and Pharmaceutical Training Consortium. [1] This statwide public-private partnership, now called NCBioImpact, was created to provide workforce training and development for the biotechnology industry, thereby fostering the growth of this economic sector in the state. According to the results of a 2007 industry survey, North Carolina ranks third in the number of biotechnology companies located in the state, and the industry requires trained workers in a number of different specialties. Almost 200 companies, including industry leaders such as Novartis, Pfizer, etc., employ about 20,000 in North Carolina. (Reference NCBC site and E&Y study)
Facility and equipment
editBTEC opened in fall 2007 and is the largest facility of its kind in the country. It contains approximately 63,000-gross-square-foot (GSF) of laboratories, which range from small or bench scale to large-scale suites that simulate a biomanufacturing pilot plant capable of producing biopharmaceutical products and packaging them in a sterile environment. Equipment in these spaces includes the following:
- Bioreactors and control systems, including two 300-L bioreactors, along with 30-L bioreactors and single-use bioreactor systems
- Automation systems with distributed control architecture
- Analytical instrumentation
- Downstream recovery and purification equipment, and
- Aseptic processing equipment
The facility also includes an analytical lab and 9,000 GSF of classrooms, plus administrative and building support spaces.[2]
Curricular programs
editBTEC provides undergraduate, graduate and professional development courses. Academic programs include an undergraduate minor, an undergraduate certificate, and a post-baccalaureate certificate in biomanufacturing. Curriculum was created with extensive input from industry professionals, and most courses include substantial hands-on laboratory work. BTEC courses typically are offered in a half-semester (eight-week) format, which enables students to complete a series of courses in one academic year.
BTEC also collaborates with industry partners to design, develop and deliver courses that provide working biotechnology and biomanufacturing professionals with continuing education opportunities.
Location
editBTEC is located on the Centennial Campus of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. The campus is approximately 15 miles east of Research Triangle Park and Raleigh-Durham International Airport.