Biochemical Engineering/ Biotechnology (BEB)
Biochemical Engineering (BCE) Workshop
Disclaimer: This National Science Foundation (NSF) funded
workshop does not necessarily express the views of the NSF.
BEB Active Awards
Upstream Processing
Downstream Processing
Metabolic Engineering
Bioprocess Optimization
QSB and Post Genomic Engineering
Tissue Engineering
Nanobiotechnology and Biomimetics
Food Engineering
Proposal Preparation & Review Procedures
Upstream processing. This research area
includes the testing, modeling, optimization, control of novel or
improved recombinant and non-recombinant cell cultures, new biochemical
reactors, and new biological processes to produce useful and high
value products. Collaborative programs might incorporate basic genome
and proteome based biomolecular engineering studies that lead to
improved design and performance of fermentation and cell culture
processes. By using on-line and real time sensing and monitoring
techniques and high throughput analytical techniques, quantitative
assessment of biomolecular rate processes inside a cell, metabolic
pathway flux analysis, and physiological state of cells in a culture
within a fermentation or purification process are considered important
to control and optimize such processes. Research efforts directed
toward increasing our fundamental engineering knowledge of biomolecular
and cellular processes in cell culture systems needed for making
useful products of economic importance fall within the scope of
this program.
Downstream processing. The capability
to purify bioproducts in a cost-effective manner on a commercial
scale and to meet the required high purity specification for the
medical grade bioproducts is an important technical goal of this
program. New processes, and major improvement of existing processes,
are needed to attain that goal. Downstream processing includes such
areas as posttranslational protein processing, protein refolding,
protein purification techniques, membrane technology, various types
of chromatography including bioaffinity systems, separation techniques
using combined force fields, and filtration methods.
Metabolic engineering is a very important
emerging area in this program. It has been defined as the targeted
and purposeful alteration and extension of metabolic pathways in
living organisms in order to better understand and utilize these
pathways for chemical transformation, energy transduction, and biomolecular
assembly. Measurement and control of in-vivo metabolic fluxes is
a key component of metabolic engineering. Analysis of regulation
and control of metabolic pathway groups or networks is another.
Development of new in-vivo and in vitro analytical techniques to
accomplish these flux measurements and control of key parameters
in metabolic pathways are critically important. Metabolic
Engineering Working Group
Bioprocess optimization. Process
monitoring, design, control, and optimization require knowledge
of the current state of every step involved in a bioprocess at both
the biomolecular and manufacturing level, and then the process can
be optimally controlled. The most effective and integrative optimization
of upstream and downstream processes is dependent on detailed knowledge
of the chemical, physical and biological states of the bioprocess,
and on design and control algorithms that can optimize and maintain
the process at optimal conditions. Optimization and control methods
should be robust, adaptive, and suited to non-linear processes.
In addition to studies on the individual process units that constitute
upstream and downstream processing, the optimal design and control
of the integrated system of several units that make up a production
plant is important for the most efficient manufacture of biotechnology
products. An optimization of a totally integrated manufacturing
process can be subject to complex interactions among the individual
process units that make control difficult.
Quantitative Systems Biotechnology and Post-Genomic
Engineering. This initiative seeks innovative high risk and/or high
return research that will yield quantitative biosystem models, quantitative
analytical tools, and improved experimental tools to enable the
use of genomic and proteomic data for predicting phenotype or for
integrating the understanding of the design principles and functions
of unicellular recombinants and non-recombinants. The aim of this
program initiative is to channel recent developments in the fields
of genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, and epigenetics into high
impact areas of bioprocess analysis, design, control and optimization.
Participation from and collaboration with different communities
adept at complex biosystems analysis is highly encouraged. Several
programs within the Engineering Directorate at NSF support this
initiative. http://www.wtec.org/qsb/
Tissue Engineering in BES includes mainly
gene and drug delivery and development of regenerative functional
tissues. This program focuses on the design of engineered three
dimensional matrix materials for cells and/or development of regenerated
tissues that are biologically compatible and mechanically functional.
Recent advances in therapeutic stem cell culture technology and
ex vivo cell culture technology, both at the macroscopic tissue
level and at the microscopic biomolecular and cellular level, have
set the stage for the development of practical applications of tissue
engineering. Controlled synthesis and/or regeneration of healthy
living tissue, therefore, appears to be a promising endeavor where
bioengineering approaches provide possible short and long term applications
involving a wide spectrum of tissues, including, but not limited
to, skin, bone, blood vessels, liver cells, pancreatic islet cells,
cartilage, nerve cells, bone marrow, and blood components. http://tissueengineering.gov
Nanobiotechnology and Biomimetics. This
is a part of an NSF wide initiative on collaborative research and
education in the area of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (NS &
E). The goal of this program is to support fundamental research
and catalyze synergistic science and engineering research and education
in emerging areas of nanoscale science and technology, including:
biosystems at the nanoscale; nanoscale structures, novel phenomena,
and quantum control; device and system architecture; design tools
and nanosystems specific software; nanoscale processes in the environment;
multi-scale, multi-phenomena modeling and simulation at the nanoscale;
manufacturing processes at the nanoscale; and studies on the societal
implications of nanoscale science and engineering. The NS &
E solicitation provides support for: Nanoscale Interdisciplinary
Research Teams (NIRT) and Nanoscale Exploratory Research (NER).
Other research and education projects in NS & E will continue
to be supported in the relevant Programs and Divisions. http://www.nsf.gov/nano
Food Engineering. The safety and quality
of the United States food supply is a high national priority. BEB
supports engineering proposals that increase the safety or utility
of our food supply. Proposals on sensors that rapidly detect food
borne pathogens and toxins are sought.
Proposal Preparation, Deadlines, and Review Procedures
All proposals must be prepared in accordance
with instructions contained in the NSF
Grant Proposal Guide (NSF 04-23). Single copies of this
brochure are available at no cost from the NSF Clearinghouse (301-947-2722)
or via email (pubs@nsf.gov).
All proposals are reviewed according to the new merit criteria,
located in the NSF
Proposal Guide (NSF 04-23). Proposals with durations of
three years or less, and a budget of $500,000 or less will be accepted
at any time. The education and training of personnel capable
of carrying out commercial-scale biological processes is an important
goal of this program.
A special feature of the biochemical engineering/biotechnology
effort is an annual competition for large, multi-disciplinary awards.
Investigators can apply for up to $400,000 per year for as long
as five years for collaborative work that will advance the engineering
capability in biotechnology and provide an educational environment
for the biotechnologists of the future. It is expected that the
teams of investigators will include both engineers and life scientists.
A special panel is convened to review these applications. In order
to be considered by this panel, a proposal must be received by NSF
NO LATER THAN January 15. In addition to the new merit review criteria
cited in the NSF
Grant Proposal Guide (NSF 04-23), proposals in this competition
will be evaluated for their potential to address the problems associated
with the production and processing of substances obtained through
the application of principles and techniques of modern molecular
biology. Synergy between and among the investigators and the
projects within the proposed effort must be obvious so that a result
significantly greater than that obtained in individual laboratories
with single investigators is achieved.
Click below to view active awards:
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