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Academics

PREPARING ADVANCED ENGINEERS AND SCIENTIST

The OU Bioprocessing Core Facility (OU BPCF) provides students and industry professionals with a state-of-the-art training in biomanufacturing. Committed to developing a skilled and career ready workforce, our programs blend theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience, equipping undergraduate and graduate students, as well as industry professionals, with the practical skills and technical expertise needed to thrive in the biotech industry. 

COMING SOON

  • Workshops - Launching Spring 2026 
  • Graduate Online Certificate Program - Launching Fall 2026 
Jennifer Jones
Jennifer Jones

About Bioprocessing

Bioprocessing is a manufacturing process for products such as proteins, enzymes, vaccines and monoclonal antibodies produced by biological systems such as cells or enzymes.

The bioprocessing workflow includes several steps listed below:

  • Cell line development
  • Cell growth and product expression in a bioreactor setup
  • Harvesting and purification
  • Quality control and testing
  • Characterization, stability and storage

      

The Biotech Industry

The biotech industry is rapidly growing, with biologic drugs now making up nearly half of the pharmaceutical market.

Bioprocessing is inherently multidisciplinary, requiring collaboration across cell biology, biochemistry, engineering, and quality assurance. It drives the production of biopharmaceuticals and other bio-based products with wide-ranging applications in healthcare, agriculture, food, and environmental industries.

With an annual growth rate of nearly 14%, biotechnology has become one of the largest, most diverse, and fastest-growing sectors—offering engineers lucrative, plentiful, and expanding career opportunities.

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OU BIOPRCESSING CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

The OU Bioprocessing Certificate is open to both undergraduate and graduate students.

  • Undergraduate Certificate – A 15-hour program with three required core courses (9 hours) and two electives (6 hours) selected from the program curriculum.

  • Graduate Certificate – A 12-hour program with three required core courses (9 hours) and one elective (3 hours) selected from the offered electives within the program curriculum.

The 9-hour core curriculum provides students with a comprehensive foundation in bioprocessing, covering both technical and theoretical aspects.

Core areas include:

  1. Gene and Cellular Engineering (CHE/BME-5423/4423): State-of-the-art technologies for manipulating genes, genomes, and cellular pathways to engineer human stem cells and microbes for health, environmental, and biomanufacturing applications.

  2. Bioprocessing Fundamentals (CHE/BME-5243/4243): Key principles of biochemical engineering, biochemistry, and microbiology applied to current reaction and separation processes.

  3. Biomanufacturing Workflow (CHE558/4583): Upstream and downstream bioprocessing of biological products, emphasizing design and operation of industrial practices at the OU Bioprocessing Core Facility.

Course Number

Course Title

CH E/BME 5423/4423Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
CH E/BME 5373/4373 *Tissue Engineering *
 CH E/BME  5243/4243 Biochemical Engineering
CH E 5583/4583
Advanced Techniques in Biomanufacturing

* Tissue Engineering (CH E/BME 5373/4373) is an and/or option for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CH E/BME 542/4423).

  • Option 1: Tissue Engineering (CH E/BME 5373/4373) is taken in the place of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CH E/BME 542/4423) as a core course. 
  • Option 2: Tissue Engineering (CH E/BME 5373/4373) is taken as an elective course and Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CH E/BME 542/4423) as the core course. 

While the common core serves as the foundation, the selection from the  electives allows for a broader understanding of bioprocessing in a variety of course options. 

Undergraduate students must complete two elective courses (6-hours) from the electives offered within this program curriculum. 

Graduate students must complete one elective course (3-hours) from the offered electives within this program curriculum. 

 

 

Graduate students apply for the Graduate Bioprocessing Certificate Program below.
Once complete, email your application to Jennifer Jones at Jennifer.R.Jones-1@ou.edu 
Complete the Graduate Application (PDF)

Undergraduate Students apply for the Undergraduate Bioprocessing Certificate Program below .
Once complete email your application to Mikaela Sullivan at Mikaela.K.Johansson-1@ou.edu
Complete the Undergraduate Application (PDF)

Graduate Students Only

In your final semester of course work please select the link below and complete the Graduate Certificate Program Report (GCPR):

Graduate Certificate Program Report

Once complete, please email your GCPR to Dr. Vassilios Sikavitsas at vis@ou.edu

Questions? 

Graduate Bioprocessing Certificate Program
Jennifer Jones 
Jennifer.R.Jones-1@ou.edu 

Undergraduate Bioprocessing Certificate Program
Mikaela Sullivan
Mikaela.K.Johansson-1@ou.edu

 

WORKSHOPS: Training That Moves You Forward (Launching - Spring 2026)

Open to undergraduate and graduate students in STEM fields, academic researchers, and professionals in the biotech industry, our hands-on training programs deliver career-ready skills and translational experience.  Participants engage in a blend of theoretical and practicial application at the OU BPCF,  a state-of-the-art facility specializing in bioprocessing and biomanufacturing. 

This hands-on workshop introduces participants to the Ambr® 250 High Throughput System, a cutting-edge parallel bioreactor system used in automated biomanufacturing. Learn how to set up and operate the system, navigate its software interface, and design bioreactor experiments. The training also includes a seminar led by industry professionals and a guided tour of a commercial biomanufacturing facility, offering real-world insights into automation in bioprocessing.

Key take aways include: 

  • Process writing with the Ambr® runtime software, experimental design including the Ambr® 250 Design of experiment (DoE) software
  • System operation including calibration and pH offsets, gassing and Dissolved oxygen (DO) control, inoculation and feeding strategy
  • Preparation for experiment runs: Hardware layout of the workstation, sterile consumables and solutions
  • Monitoring of experimental run and in-run controls with the Ambr® Run time software to control reactor set-points
  • Sampling and use of integrated analyzer for in-process control (IPC)
  •  Data import/export, results viewer software and data management
  • Best practice for pre/post run cleaning and maintaining sterility to ensure safe and efficient system operation
  • Upon completion of this workshop, participants should be able to write and run their own experiments on the Ambr® 250 system.
AMBR 250 High Throughput machine.

This workshop focuses on the BioProfile®FLEX2, an essential tool for in-process control (IPC) and monitoring of cell culture parameters during upstream production of biologics in the biomanufacturing industry. Participants will gain practical experience with the hardware and software, learning how to run, analyze, and validate samples for in-process control. This training equips attendees with foundational skills in biomanufacturing analytics, preparing them to confidently support quality and efficiency in biologics production.

Key take aways include: 

  • The hardware components of the BioProfile®FLEX2 covering sampling (Syringes, 96-well plate and sample cups), microsensor cards and reagent cartridges.
  • Software introduction using the touch screen interface for analyzer operation overview, general settings and test parameter settings
  • System operation including loading reagent cartridges, performing calibration and quality control (QC) checks
  • The full 16 cell culture test profile including Gluc, Glu, Lac, Gln, NH4+, K+, Na+, Ca++, pH, PO2, PCO2, viable cell density, total cell density, viability, cell diameter and osmolality.
  • Loading samples, perform sample analysis and validate test results 
  • Performing on-board and external QC, scheduling automatic QC and system maintenance
  • Data import/export, results analysis and backing up the database
  • Best practices for handling the gas and chemistry microsensor cards, reagent cartridges and system maintenance/shutdown procedure to ensure safe and efficient system operation
Director and participant using the BioProfile®FLEX2 machine.

This workshop equips participants with the skills to confidently operate  Cedex® Bio Analyzer, an essential analytical instrument for metabolite and product quantification in the biomanufacturing industry during upstream production of therapeutics and bio-based products. Learners will gain hands-on experience with system setup, software operation, and sample validation. The training emphasizes anayalytical techniques for measuring protein and monoclonal antibody concentrations, as well as key metabolites, supporting quality control in both mammalian cell culture and microbial fermentation workflows. Completion of this workshop prepares participants to confidently apply these tools in real-world bioprocessing environments.

Key take aways include: 

  • The hardware components of the Cedex Bio covering sample area, fluid system, probe, reagent disk, cuvettes, transfer unit including consumables required for operation
  • Software overview for system operation, creating analysis order, fluid handling and administration tasks
  • System operation including maintenance, introducing specific test kits, performing calibration and quality control checks.
  • Loading samples, perform measurements and validate results for product titer and metabolites
  • Data import/export, results viewer software and data management
  • Best practice for pre/post run cleaning and maintaining sterility to ensure safe and efficient system operation
Cedex(R) Bio Anaylzer machine

Learn the principles and hands-on operation of column chromatography using the ÄKTA avant™ 150 system. This workshop combines lectures, demonstrations, and practical lab sessions to give participants both conceptual understanding and real-world experience in protein purification. Explore various chromatography modes including affinity, ion exchange, and size-exclusion, while gaining proficiency in UNICORN software for method design, monitoring, and data analysis.

Key take aways include: 

  • Explain the fundamental principles of column chromatography and its role in protein purification.
  • Identify and describe the components of the ÄKTA chromatography system and their functions.
  • Prepare samples and buffers appropriately for chromatography experiments using the ÄKTA system.
  • Set up and operate the ÄKTA system to perform common chromatography techniques such as affinity chromatography.
  • Design and execute affinity chromatography run with optimized parameters for target protein separation and purification.
  • Monitor and interpret real-time chromatography data, such as UV absorbance and conductivity, to assess purification progress and quality.
  • Troubleshoot common issues encountered during chromatography runs on the ÄKTA system.
  • Implement best practices for cleaning, maintenance, and safety when using the ÄKTA chromatography system.
  • Analyze and document chromatography results, including yield, purity, and resolution using nanodrop/Cedex Bio analyzers, to be used in the summary report.
 ÄKTA avant™ 150 machine.
Farid Talebnia Rowshan.

Bioprocessing Core Facility

This state-of-the-art biotechnical facility, located in Oklahoma City’s Innovation District, is led by Dr. Farid Talebnia Rowshan.

Researcher next to piece of equipment.

Unmatched Student Experience

The OU Bioprocessing Core Facility gives students hands-on training to develop advanced biotechnology skills at an industry level.

 

AMBR 250 High Throughput machine.

Advanced Biotechnology

The facility includes nine laboratories equipped with industry-leading technology used across the biopharmaceutical sector. These state-of-the-art systems support both upstream and downstream bioprocessing, scalable up to the pilot level.