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.

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

Microbial Manufacturing Services

As a microbial manufacturing & bioprocessing facility, our diverse team at the CBB specializes in cGMP and non-cGMP production of protein products for various business, commercial, and research purposes. We have years of experience in developing bioprocesses for scaling up fermentation & protein purification (including difficult to purified inclusion bodies), cGMP manufacturing, cell banking, instrumentation, and more. 

All critical equipment within the facility passed Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Installation Qualification (IQ), and Operational Qualification (OQ). This facility is open for audit by clients. 

With many successful campaigns over the years, the CBB has become a trusted partner for our local & international clients alike.

Request Services Now!

We have worked with clients ranging from large pharmaceutical companies to biotech startups of all sizes to virtual companies, academic research labs, and governmental agencies. Our facility produces protein-based products for all sorts of purposes, including Phase-1 clinical trials. The quality of all manufactured products are ensured by our dedicated QA/QC team. 

CBB Operator Working in the Lab

Non-cGMP Facility

Our non-cGMP Facility is fully equipped with advanced technologies & instruments to provide both upstream & downstream process development services to our clients, from strain development to large scale manufacturing. All projects are carried out by full-time staff with years of experience in research & process development. 

CBB Operator Working in the Lab

cGMP Facility

The cGMP Manufacturing Facility at CBB is capable of producing protein products for Phase-1 clinical trials. This cGMP Manufacturing Facility and the Non-cGMP Facility share similar equipment, allowing for efficient process transfer between the two facilities. Our facility strictly follows the 2008 FDA guidance for cGMP manufacturing of materials for Phase-1 investigational drugs. 

"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."

Educational & Training Opportunities

Every year, the CBB awards multiple fellowships to predoctoral student applicants to support their graduate research in the biocatalytic sciences (see definition). In addition to our own CBB fellowship program, the CBB also administers NIH fellowships. 

Both NIH and CBB fellowships are designed to promote training focusing on the applications of biological & physical sciences to conduct interdisciplinary research in all domains of biotechnology. 

Learn More About Our Fellowships

Most of our fellows have successfully entered the biotech job market right after graduation because they not only graduated with multiple journal publications, but also with industrial internship experience. 

Supportive Faculty Trainers

Our fellows are students working in a CBB-associated faculty's laboratory at The University of Iowa. Faculty help students obtain internships, build their work portfolios, and prepare job application materials. 

Predoctoral graduate students are encouraged to discuss with their major advisors as soon as possible regarding the application process. Students in their 1st and 2nd year are given priority.

Supporting Fellows Beyond Graduation

Once a CBB fellow, always a CBB fellow-From academic to personal to professional development, the CBB & our committed faculty provide continuous guidance & mentorship to our fellows even after their graduation.

 

"Center of Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing was very generous to award to me a 2-year Pre-Doctoral Fellowship in biotechnology for my PhD at UIOWA. Furthermore, I had a great opportunity of visit CBB facility and learn about protein purification services for Phase 1 clinical trial and downstream purification and bioprocessing."

Meet Some of Our Associated Faculty

Office of VP for Research Events

Humanities Grants Recent Awardee Panel Session promotional image

Humanities Grants Recent Awardee Panel Session

Wednesday, November 6, 2024 9:00am to 10:00am
Virtual
Thinking about applying to externally funded grants in the humanities? Want to learn more about humanities funding opportunities and hear from previous awardees? Then this panel session is for you! Event Information The Research Development Office is hosting a humanities virtual panel session on Wednesday, Nov. 6 from 9–10 a.m. This panel session will provide an opportunity to hear from accomplished award recipients from external sponsors in the humanities regarding their experience with the...

Fall 2024 IRB Office Hours

Wednesday, November 6, 2024 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Virtual
Answer questions about conducting human subjects research. Provide guidance and answer questions about the electronic application forms in the HawkIRB system. Provide suggestions and guidance about study procedures that are in compliance with federal regulations and the UI IRB policies. Provide guidance and answer questions about the submission of industry-initiated and industry-sponsored research projects to an external/commercial or central IRB.

College of Medicine Events

Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Program Thesis Defense Seminar: Samantha Pierson promotional image

Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Program Thesis Defense Seminar: Samantha Pierson

Wednesday, November 6, 2024 9:00am
Medical Education Research Facility
Samantha Pierson is a current student of the Neuroscience Graduate Program and is in Dr. Catherine Marcinkiewcz's laboratory. She is excited to announce her thesis seminar.

Pain Research Program Presentation - Jamie Morton, PhD, RN & Giovanni Berardi, DPT, PhD

Wednesday, November 6, 2024 9:00am to 10:00am
Carver Biomedical Research Building
"Exploring Pain, Trauma, Substance Use Disorder, and Family Dysfunction in Childbearing-Aged Females" Presented by Jamie Morton, PhD, RN Postdoctoral Research Scholar in Dr. Barbara St. Marie's lab "Relation of immune cell phenotype to exercise-induced pain and fatigue in ME/CFS and PASC" Presented by Giovanni Berardi, DPT, PhD Postdoctoral Scholar in Dr. Kathleen Sluka's lab

College of Pharmacy Events

Three Minute Thesis: Final Competition promotional image

Three Minute Thesis: Final Competition

Thursday, November 7, 2024 12:00pm to 3:00pm
Iowa Memorial Union (IMU)
The University of Iowa’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition challenges graduate students to clearly and concisely articulate complex research to nonspecialist audiences. Join us on Nov. 7th at the Iowa Memorial Union (IMU).   City High research scholars reception will take place from noon-12:45 in the Black Box Theater (3rd floor - IMU). The 3MT competition is from 1-3 in the Iowa Theater (1st floor). Join to see our amazing 3MT finalists present their incredible research at the final competition. This event is open to all of UI campus and community!
Celebrating Excellence: Honoring Teachers, Preceptors, and Staff of the Year promotional image

Celebrating Excellence: Honoring Teachers, Preceptors, and Staff of the Year

Friday, November 8, 2024 12:30pm to 1:30pm
College of Pharmacy Building
College of Pharmacy faculty, staff, and students are invited to honor the 2023-24 teachers, preceptors, and staff of the year on Nov. 8.  We will celebrate with a short program at 12:30 p.m., followed by a dessert reception.  Faculty/Staff/Students/Alumni: Please RSVP at this linkCollegiate Teacher of the Year, Mary Schroeder Class of 2027 Teacher of the Year, Nicole Brogden Class of 2026 Teacher of the Year, Michelle Fravel Class of 2025 Teacher of the Year, James Hoehns APPE...