31 May – 6 June 2026 • Instituto de Biotecnología, UNAM • Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
This intensive one‑week workshop offers participants a rare opportunity to experience the complete workflow of a real pilot‑scale bioprocess, from fermentation to enzyme purification. Hosted at the Instituto de Biotecnología of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), the workshop introduces attendees to the principles and practical execution of bioprocess engineering using a recombinant *E. coli* strain to produce penicillin amidase.
The course combines theoretical foundations with substantial hands‑on training. Five theoretical sessions introduce essential concepts, including recombinant microorganism construction, sterilization kinetics, microbial kinetics, protein extraction and purification, and industrial‑scale processes. Participants then apply this knowledge through approximately 45 hours of guided laboratory and pilot‑plant work. Activities include preparing culture media, operating 10 L and 30 L fermenters, conducting microbial monitoring, harvesting biomass, performing enzyme extraction via osmotic shock or mechanical homogenization, and carrying out purification steps, including centrifugation, precipitation, chromatography, and electrophoresis. Throughout the process, students record and analyze biological and engineering data, including growth kinetics, substrate consumption, enzymatic activity, and yield performance.
The workshop closes with a full‑day presentation and discussion session, allowing participants to critically evaluate the data they generated and compare results between two distinct purification strategies. This integrated structure ensures a comprehensive understanding of both the scientific and engineering aspects of bioprocess development.
Learning Objectives
Participants will:
* Understand the principles of scaling up bioprocesses using recombinant microorganisms.
* Gain hands‑on experience with fermentation equipment and downstream processing operations.
* Learn how to analyze bioprocess performance using real experimental data.
* Strengthen their ability to translate microbial and molecular biology knowledge into practical biotechnological applications.
Target Audience
This workshop is designed for professionals, educators, and students in Chemical or Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Food Technology, Chemistry, Biology, Pharmacy, Medicine, and related fields. Participants should have basic theoretical knowledge of microbial cultivation and an interest in applying engineering concepts to bioprocess development.
Format and Teaching Structure
* Limited to 12 participants (6 national, 6 international) to ensure full hands‑on engagement.
* Five theoretical sessions of 2 hours each.
* Approximately 45 hours of experimental work in the pilot plant.
* Final 6‑hour session for presentation and discussion of results.
* Conducted in Spanish, with instruction from experienced professors and technical staff of the Instituto de Biotecnología.
Application procedure
Send a motivation letter, 2 recommendation letters, and CV to leobardo.serrano@ibt.unam.mx
Applications are open starting March 16th; applications received before this date might not be considered.
Last day to apply: March 27th, 2025.
