Industrial Biomanufacturing: From Cells to Products

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Biomanufacturing is increasingly used to produce everyday products – from enzymes in detergents to ingredients in food and bio-based materials. But how do microorganisms become reliable production systems at industrial scale? In this course, you will gain an overview of how microbial cell factories are developed and used in industrial biotechnology. You will explore how microorganisms grow, how their performance can be improved and optimized, and how processes are scaled from laboratory conditions to real-world production. You will be introduced to the key stages of a biomanufacturing process, including fermentation and downstream processing, and learn how these steps are connected. The course also highlights why processes that work well in the laboratory often behave differently at larger scale, and how biological and engineering considerations must be balanced. The course combines conceptual explanations, a simple simulation exercise, and perspectives from industry professionals. Together, these elements provide a general understanding of how biomanufacturing works in practice without requiring an advanced technical background. The course also offers a glimpse into emerging developments such as AI-guided protein design, novel biotechnological products, and the role of biotechnology in the circular economy and sustainability. By the end of the course, you will have a clearer understanding of how biological systems are translated into industrial processes and where biotechnology fits into modern production and sustainability discussions.