REU Site: Bioprocess engineering for sustainability

REU 网站：生物工艺工程促进可持续发展

• 批准号: 1156645
• 负责人: Justin Barone
• 金额: $ 36.85万
• 依托单位: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-05-01 至 2016-04-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1156645&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: REU; Site; Bioprocess; engineering; sustainability

This three year REU Site program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VPI) will engage undergraduate students in cutting-edge research in the area of bioprocess engineering (BPE). The objectives of the REU site are to: (1)introduce students to the field of bioprocess engineering (BPE) and its relevance in the future industrial economy; (2)teach students about the technological, social, and economical challenges facing the traditional fossil fuel based industry and the burgeoning biobased industry through classroom learning and discussion; (3) provide those students with a unique and timely experience performing research in bioprocess engineering; and (4)develop independence and decision-making skills in students through the research process and scientific method.The BPE REU Site program is significant in that it is: 1) timely given the current energy and fossil fuel situation and 2) technological relevant because bioprocessing involves topics like fermentation, metabolic and genetic engineering, biomaterials, macromolecular structure, and self-assembly, which are all robust and growing research fields in engineering. Participating undergraduate students will gain experience in a growing field with significant hiring potential in traditional technology companies and engineering departments and burgeoning biotech companies.The research could show how biological processes can be adapted to produce useful products like fuels, chemicals, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. This would circumvent the fossil fuel intensive routes used currently by the petrochemical industry that have proven detrimental to the environment. Students will develop scientific skills, be exposed to new and exciting avenues of research, and have the opportunity to make informed decisions and gain presentation and writing experience. Recruiting women and minority students into the REU Site will stimulate broader interest in new fields and create a pipeline for graduate student recruitment."The site is co-funded by the Department of Defense in partnership with the NSF REU program."

弗吉尼亚理工学院暨州立大学 (VPI) 为期三年的 REU 现场项目将让本科生参与生物过程工程 (BPE) 领域的前沿研究。 REU网站的目标是：（1）向学生介绍生物过程工程（BPE）领域及其与未来工业经济的相关性； （2）通过课堂学习和讨论，让学生了解传统化石燃料工业和新兴生物基工业面临的技术、社会和经济挑战； (3) 为这些学生提供独特且及时的生物过程工程研究经验； (4) 通过研究过程和科学方法培养学生的独立性和决策能力。BPE REU Site 项目的意义在于：1) 及时考虑到当前的能源和化石燃料形势；2) 技术相关，因为生物加工涉及发酵、代谢和基因工程、生物材料、大分子结构和自组装等主题，这些都是强大且不断发展的工程研究领域。 参与的本科生将在传统技术公司和工程部门以及新兴生物技术公司具有巨大招聘潜力的不断发展的领域获得经验。这项研究可以展示如何调整生物过程来生产有用的产品，如燃料、化学品、塑料和药品。这将绕开石化行业目前使用的化石燃料密集型路线，这些路线已被证明对环境有害。学生将发展科学技能，接触新的、令人兴奋的研究途径，并有机会做出明智的决定并获得演讲和写作经验。招募女性和少数族裔学生进入 REU 站点将激发人们对新领域更广泛的兴趣，并为研究生招募创造一条渠道。“该站点由国防部与 NSF REU 项目共同资助。”