State Appropriation: $696,342
The Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing (CBB) is an interdisciplinary research center at the University of Iowa. Its objectives are to: a) enhance faculty and student development in biocatalytic science and bioprocess engineering, b) drive innovative pilot-scale biomanufacturing processes, c) be an academic leader in promoting student careers in biotechnology through unique educational programs, d) advance University intellectual property by accelerating the time to market of bio-products derived from academic discoveries, and e) contribute to university goals for workforce and economic development.
The Center’s activities stem from a world-renowned group of faculty, scientists, laboratory personnel, graduate students, and postdoctoral associates focused on creating and disseminating knowledge in the biosciences. Its academic group is recognized for scientific talent, securing more than $15 million in extramural research support. The Center operates a long-standing NIH-funded Predoctoral Training Grant in Biotechnology, successfully renewed on July 1, 2024, for another five years. A portion of the Center’s operating budget supplements these fellowships and supports additional fellowships for top-caliber graduate students across disciplines. The Center provides undergraduate training in the form of internships and lab assistant positions within the Fermentation and Bioprocessing Facility. CBB enables graduate and undergraduate students to further their education and explore biotechnology careers, supporting the State’s economic development, workforce development, and bioeconomy.
CBB’s Bioprocessing Facility is a world-class pilot-scale operation. This facility serves as a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) capable of producing high-value bio-products. This facility serves as the primary pilot-scale facility for biotechnology processes in Iowa. The CBB also operates the only facility in the State that manufactures vaccines and therapeutic proteins for Phase I clinical testing.
The Center helps Iowa startup companies produce novel biomaterials and develop commercially viable manufacturing processes, enhancing investment opportunities. Iowa entrepreneurs are supported by our ability to manufacture therapeutic proteins in a manner that enables submission of investigative new drug (IND) applications seeking FDA approval for first-in-human testing.
FY 2027 funds will support: 1) programs designed to broaden the scope of careers in biotechnology for undergraduate and graduate students, 2) salaries for faculty and P&S administrators who operate the Center, 3) programs to enhance workforce and economic development, 4) unique educational coursework, 5) the annual CBB Biotechnology Conference, that attracts national and international participants, and 6) high-level operation of our bioprocessing facility. This support will create new collaborations to address long-standing societal challenges, strengthen graduate programs, accelerate submissions of grant applications to federal agencies, support economic development, and promote careers for Iowa students in fields central to the State’s bioeconomy.