Employment Opportunity

The Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing (CBB) at the University of Iowa is excited to announce a national search to hire a director-level business development expert. The successful hire will have an opportunity to expand the Center’s bioprocessing activities for both GMP and non-GMP biomanufacturing. This hire will also be able to work with the University’s leadership, faculty and students to advance biotech education, discovery, and economic development. 

Candidates from all sectors of biotechnology are encouraged to apply. 

More details are provided at the following link: CBB Director of Development Search.

Welcome to CBB

The Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing (CBB) is a microbial biomanufacturing and research facility that bridges the gap between laboratory discovery and commercial-scale bioprocessing solutions. Located at the University of Iowa, CBB offers microbial fermentation, recombinant protein expression, and downstream protein purification services for a wide variety of clients, including international corporations and early-stage start-up companies. For clients interested in clinical applications, a cGMP suite is available to manufacture of proteins under the quality standards defined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration specifically for Phase 1 clinical trials.  

 

By combining the technical capabilities of a university-based pilot-scale CDMO with the expertise of affiliated faculty and researchers, the CBB serves as a trusted partner to biotech startups, vendors for the life science community, pharmaceutical companies, and academic innovators. Our facility supports innovation across multiple sectors, supporting the development and scale-up of protein-based therapeutics, specialty enzymes, reagent proteins, and other next-generation biologics. In addition, CBB plays a key role in bioprocessing workforce development through graduate training and NIH-funded biomanufacturing fellowships, thereby helping to shape the future of the biotech and life sciences industries.  

We Work with a Wide Range of Clients across the Biotech, Life Sciences, and Pharmaceutical Spaces

We welcome clients from diverse industry sectors, including biotech startups seeking scalable biomanufacturing, academic research laboratories advancing translational science, life science vendors supporting basic and applied research worldwide, as well as large multinational pharmaceutical manufacturers and government agencies involved in drug development and public health initiatives. Our services are accessible to clients regardless of geographic location, ensuring professional support for protein production, purification, and bioprocess development. 

How to Start a Service with CBB?

We’re here to support your project every step of the way. Getting started with the Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing (CBB) is simple. Clients can request services by completing our Client Request Form online. After submitting the form, a CBB representative will contact you within 2-3 business days to confirm your request and to schedule an initial consultation.  

 

During this initial consultation, your project requirements will be discussed in a non-confidential manner. CBB will then evaluate whether our facility can meet your specific needs. If so, a Confidential Disclosure Agreement (CDA) template will be provided for your consideration. In parallel, we will share a ballpark estimate of the costs for your project.  
 
Upon execution of the CDA, a more in-depth discussion will be used to provide a more accurate assessment of the costs for CBB’s bioprocessing services. Services can begin once a Master Service Agreement is in place and a Project Ordered is created specifically tailored toward your bioprocessing needs.  
 
Our team will be with you through every step to ensure a smooth and compliant bioprocessing experience.  

Bioprocessing Services

Fermentation, protein purification, & cGMP production for Phase-1 clinical trials

Academic Opportunities

Predoctoral Iowa Biotech Fellowship, CBB & NIH fellowships available

Annual Conference

The CBB hosts an annual conference focusing on innovations in the biocatalytic sciences.

"I worked for CBB since they first started with fermentation in their present location! I had previous experiences running 2000 liter fermenters at Solvay Animal Health. I really enjoyed watching the fermenters being delivered and set up. I worked closely with B. Braun company getting them up and running. The team came together over the next couple years. They have all become very experienced operators in the upstream and downstream processing! Everyone works well together and produces high quality product! I have since retired and miss my coworkers."

CBB Operator Working in the Lab

30 +

Years of Manufacturing Experience

CBB Operator Working in the Lab

265 +

Fellowships Awarded to Students

CBB Operator Working in the Lab

55 +

Associated UI Faculty

News

Tyler J. Woodward

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Hossein Zare

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Reza Nejadnik Nik

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

David Minh, Ph.D.

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Meet Some of Our Associated Faculty

Office of VP for Research Events

Maximizing Pivot to Find Funding and Collaborators promotional image

Maximizing Pivot to Find Funding and Collaborators

Monday, October 20, 2025 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Virtual

Do you want to maximize your time spent searching for funding opportunities or potential project collaborators? Join us to learn how Pivot can save you time and effort in identifying the right funding opportunities for your research lines as well as identifying collaborators with the relevant expertise.

Register here. The RDO will send a calendar invitation and Zoom link upon registration.

CSSI Workshop: Workflow in Stata with Meghan Rogers, PhD promotional image

CSSI Workshop: Workflow in Stata with Meghan Rogers, PhD

Tuesday, October 21, 2025 12:30pm to 2:00pm
Social Sciences Research Building
Have you ever opened a folder full of “FINAL_FINAL.docx” files and wondered which one was actually final? Lost track of which version of a dataset you were using? Then this workshop is for you.

College of Medicine Events

Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Program Thesis Defense Seminar: Ben Kreitlow promotional image

Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Program Thesis Defense Seminar: Ben Kreitlow

Tuesday, October 21, 2025 8:30am
Carver Biomedical Research Building

Ben Kreitlow is a PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, as well as a student in the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). His research has been conducted in Dr. Gordon Buchanan's laboratory.

If you are unable to attend in person, please consider showing your support and attending via Zoom. Please email britt-hokanson@uiowa.edu for the zoom link.

Neuroscience and Pharmacology Postdoctoral Seminar - Ava Carter, PhD promotional image

Neuroscience and Pharmacology Postdoctoral Seminar - Ava Carter, PhD

Tuesday, October 21, 2025 10:30am to 11:30am
Virtual

Evolving Responses to the Environment: Human-specific gene regulation in the brain

Ava Carter, PhD
HHMI Hanna H. Gray Postdoctoral Fellow
Department of Neurobiology
Harvard Medical School

College of Pharmacy Events

UI College of Pharmacy Penn State Tailgate promotional image

UI College of Pharmacy Penn State Tailgate

Saturday, October 18, 2025 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Courtyard Marriott Iowa City/University Heights

College of Pharmacy alumni, faculty/staff, and friends, please join us for a tailgate three hours before the Iowa Hawkeyes take on the Penn State Nittany Lions!

This is a complimentary event, but pre-registration is required.

Food, drinks, tailgate games, and more!

College of Pharmacy PSET Seminar Series: Christian Fernandez, PhD

Tuesday, October 28, 2025 11:30am
College of Pharmacy Building

The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics (PSET) in the College of Pharmacy will host a seminar presented by: 

Christian Fernandez, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania

All are welcome to attend. No pre-registration required.