REU Site: Bioprocess engineering for sustainability

这个为期三年的REU网站计划在弗吉尼亚理工学院和州立大学（VPI）将从事本科生在生物过程工程（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）领域及其在未来工业经济中的相关性;（2）通过课堂学习和讨论，向学生讲授传统化石燃料工业和新兴生物工业所面临的技术，社会和经济挑战;（3）为这些学生提供一个独特的和及时的经验进行生物过程工程研究;和（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网站计划的重要性在于它是：1）及时考虑到当前的能源和化石燃料状况，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，这些都是工程中强大且不断增长的研究领域。 参与的本科生将在一个不断发展的领域获得经验，该领域在传统技术公司和工程部门以及新兴的生物技术公司具有巨大的招聘潜力。这项研究可以展示生物过程如何适应生产有用的产品，如燃料，化学品，塑料和药品。这将绕过石化工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，接触到新的和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。招聘妇女和少数民族学生进入REU网站将激发对新领域的更广泛兴趣，并为研究生招聘创造渠道。“该网站是由国防部与NSF REU计划合作共同资助的。"

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."