SBIR Phase I: Computer Interfaced Fermentation Biotechnology Resources

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目涉及发酵科学，到目前为止还没有纳入到教学实验室活动中。虽然分子生物学是生物技术的一个重要方面，但到目前为止，生物技术的其他方面，如发酵技术，还没有纳入科学课程。本项目的主要目标是：(1)研究和设计教室实验室生物反应器；(2)将生物信息学与发酵技术相结合；(3)开发基于问题的发酵实验；(4)评估待研究的发酵资源的教育学。其目的不是复制现有的微生物活动，而是开发符合拟议的生物反应器策略的发酵实验。同样重要的是，要研究的实验将提供真实世界中“从头到尾”的生物学问题，而不是瓶子里的试剂。这是一个重要的商业机会，因为目前还没有同等的商业发酵生物反应器可用于科学教育。有研究级的设备，但这样的设备对教育市场来说负担不起。该公司的客户是高中教师和本科大学教师。这些客户也是发酵生物反应器和相关产品的潜在客户。拟议的发酵产品将扩大目前的产品种类，并增加销售。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project deals with the science of fermentation which to date has not been integrated into teaching laboratory activities. While molecular biology is an important aspect of biotechnology, thus far other aspects of biotechnology such as fermentation technology have not been incorporated into science curricula. The following are the main objectives of this project: (1) to research and design classroom laboratory bioreactors; (2) to interface bioinformatics and fermentation technology; (3) to develop problem-based fermentation experiments; and (4) to assess the pedagogy of fermentation resources to be researched. The intention is not to duplicate existing microbiology activities, but rather to develop fermentation experiments that fit the proposed bioreactor strategy. Equally important, the experiments to be researched will provide real world "beginning to end" biological problems instead of reagents out of bottles.There is a significant business opportunity since currently no equivalent commercially available fermentation bioreactors are available for science education. There is research grade equipment, but such equipment is not affordable for the education market. The company's customers are high school teachers and undergraduate college faculty. These customers are also potential customers for fermentation bioreactors and related products. The proposed fermentation product would broaden the current offerings and increase sales.