What Does a Bioprocessing Engineer Do?

Behind every biotechnology research breakthrough and life-saving pharmaceutical production, there’s a bioprocessing engineer. They are the invisible hands that transform raw biological materials into drug therapies, biofuels, and everyday consumable products. We know that much, but what does a bioprocess engineer actually do?

If you ever questioned how a vaccine goes from bench to syringe or how detergents get their natural kick with enzymes, chances are you are skimming the surface of the world of bioprocessing engineering.

The Role of a Bioprocessing Engineer

Bioprocessing engineers are the middlemen between science and industry. They help take new findings uncovered in research laboratories and grow them to an industrial scale. This means developing processes that utilize cells, enzymes, or other biomaterials to craft goods and services, but how exactly do they pull that off?

These engineers operate at the intersection of life, chemistry, and engineering. Whether they’re crafting a new type of antibiotic or producing feedstock materials, the end goal is accelerated speed, safety, and sustainability.

The Tools of the Trade

Bioprocess engineers rely on specialized tools to get the job done. One primary tool in their toolkit is bioprocess containers. Bioprocess containers are utilized to transport, store, and process biological materials. They’re engineered for sterility and to keep hazardous products contained without crossing over to threat production (e.g. pharmaceuticals or food and beverage).

Picture a company tasked with developing a brand-new monoclonal antibody-based therapy. The bioprocess engineer might rely on bioprocess bags to store the fragile raw material at precise temperatures and pH levels to ensure its potency during the manufacturing process. Learn more about bioprocessing containers from ALLpaQ.

Key Responsibilities of a Bioprocessing Engineer

• Process Development: Bioprocessing engineers design processes that can scale from 1-liter to 10,000-liter bioreactors. They need to determine how to repeat a lab-scale experiment process on an industrial scale.
• Equipment Design & Maintenance: They are in charge of choosing and maintaining used bioprocess equipment, such as bioreactors and filters. All devices used must be up to quality and regulatory standards.

• Quality Control: This role is an essential task. The bioprocess engineering team is tasked with validating that the goods manufactured meet regulatory and safety standards.
• Sustainability: This is becoming a more important role within the bioprocess engineering field. In various sectors of the field, bioprocess engineers will work on waste reduction and energy-efficient processes; whether recycling leftover materials or reducing energy waste in mechanical systems.

Industries That Rely on Bioprocessing Engineers

Bioprocess engineers are multiplying across industries. In the pharmaceutical sector, they’re responsible for the development of vaccines, antibacterial drugs, and biologics. In agriculture, you’ll find them engineering new biofertilizers and pest-resistant crops.

The food and beverage industry? They make enzymes that bioprocess engineers use to ferment beer, and they develop yogurt fermentation processes. And that next high-tech alternative protein source? Thanks, we’ll take it from here, says the bioprocessing engineer responsible for lab-grown meat.

A Day in the Life of a Bioprocessing Engineer

Days ahead don’t look much like yesterday or today. Yesterday it was a stuck valve in the bioreactor. Today it’s data analysis to maximize yield. Maybe you’re working alongside scientists, technicians or quality assurance folks – this is the typical day for a bioengineer.

The Challenges and Rewards

Bioprocessing is complicated. Bioprocess engineers battle government regulations and rules. Technology changes. Production problems arise. But engineers enjoy the satisfaction of knowing their work makes the world a better place — creating the drugs that save lives, and producing the fuels that shrink carbon footprints.

The Future of Bioprocessing

As technology evolves, the bioprocess engineer does, too. New advances demand new thought processes and new tools. Artificial intelligence, automation, and personalized medicine have changed the bioprocess engineering landscape.

Sustainability has emerged as a new driver, too. Carbon-neutral plant. Biodegradable containers. Waste treatment. Once relegated to the sidelines, bioprocess engineers are front and centre in the shift to renewables.

Why Bioprocessing Matters

The next time you grab a bottle of aspirin or slather your face in the most recent miracle beauty product, take a moment to appreciate the bioprocess engineer — tirelessly blasting through the obstacles to ensure these other-worldly creations are not only accessible but also completely safe for everyday use.