Distributed Biomanufacturing in Operational Environments

Nicholas Bedford — nicholas.bedford@inl.gov

Anne Walker — anne.y.walker.civ@army.mil

Jeff Linger — jeffrey.linger@nlr.gov

Brooke Ahem — brooke.m.ahern.civ@army.mil

Annie Crumbley — anna.m.crumbley2.civ@army.mil

Since its inception in 1970, the field of synthetic biology has been innovating in the creation of novel pathways to natively and non-natively produced materials. Integration of synthetic biology concepts into the long-established fermentation industry led to the development of biomanufacturing, the production and isolation of biologically produced materials, as an industry with a current global value of over USD $500 billion. As the industrial landscape evolves and new technology allows us to untether materials production from fixed locations, best practice methods should be developed to suit various operational environments. Historically, pharmaceutical applications dominated the applications space and biomanufacturing methods became streamlined around FDA standards, affecting every choice from production host to vessel material to downstream processing and finishing methods. Expanding biomanufacturing beyond pharmaceuticals raises questions about opportunities for innovation in the biomanufacturing capabilities and methodologies space.
Transforming the operational manufacturing environment for biomanufacturing requires rethinking capabilities and methodologies to enable production of the broadest set of materials. With increasing interest in democratization and distribution of manufacturing to support rapid on-demand production for reasons related to agility and sustained access, biomanufacturing brings the ability to use diversified local feedstocks to reach target materials for various applications. Biomanufacturing utilizes the catalyzing power of microorganisms to transform feedstocks into materials through genetic engineering and chemical process engineering. Materials produced through biomanufacturing have applications across the spectrum of modern technology through incorporation using modern and advanced manufacturing techniques. To reach the operational state of distributed biomanufacturing, four key enabling technologies were identified in a recent State of the Art report, including biotransformation, electrochemical valorization, flow chemistry technology, and advanced manufacturing capabilities, which build upon the foundational underpinnings of biomolecular engineering, biochemical pathway innovation; heat, mass transfer, and materials engineering; electrochemistry; and automation. Beyond technical capability, analysis and data management methodologies remain critical elements.
This Telluride Innovation Workshop (TIW) aims to bring experts from a range of science, engineering, and manufacturing disciplines together to exchange expertise to help generate new concepts in this critical field. Our overall goal is that this TIW will help pave the path toward operationalizing biomanufacturing through advanced manufacturing integration and truly unlock a powerful new pathway for production.

We wish to ensure an intimate workshop setting, with no more than 20 to 25 participants. If you are interested in attending but have not received an invitation, please contact the workshop organizer before registering.

Sessions typically run mornings and late afternoons, leaving mid-day free for informal collaboration.

Travel to Telluride can be expensive; please assess your own potential travel costs before registering.

Please book your travel plans! The Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) is the most reliable and convenient airport for Telluride.

Telluride Science can provide lodging starting as low as $215/night during off-peak weeks and as low as $250/night during peak-season at the Mountainside Inn. These affordable lodging options are limited and available first-come, first-serve. To encourage participants to secure affordable lodging, we offer a $100 discount on lodging provided through Telluride Science that is secured before the Early Bird deadline. Additionally, we work with many lodging providers in Telluride and Mountain Village to offer discounts between 10-15% off your total lodging balance. Additional information provided with registration.

If you have more questions about lodging, reach out to Sara at sara@telluridescience.org.

Registrations may be refunded less a $25 cancellation fee. If cancelled before the lodging cancellation deadline, lodging payments are refundable less a $100 cancellation fee. It is each participant's responsibility to confirm and understand their own lodging cancellation deadline. Travel insurance is highly recommended.