The NBC2 (Northeast Biomanufacturing Center and Collaborative) is a National Science Foundation funded Advanced Technology Education Center aimed at developing the infrastructure and training materials to support the growing Biomanufacturing industry. A disseminated center, NBC2 operates through a series of regional hubs and alliances housed in community colleges across the United States and representing in turn the various facets of the diverse biomanufacturing industry.
Working closely with representatives from the Biomanufacturing industry, the NBC2 has developed a number of curricular materials focused on skills and concepts needed by entry level employees in the Biomanufacturing industry. These materials include hands-on lab exercises suitable for a wide range of educational institutions and environments; a conventional text-book authored by industry representatives; a series of traveling workshops aimed at high-school and community college faculty; computer simulated chromatography and bioreactor operating exercises; on-line modules for incumbent worker and industry employee training; and an annual conference consisting of intensive workshops, lectures, and discussions about effective training and learning methods.
This poster will present the educational products of the NBC2 and discuss the impact that NBC2 has had on expanding the number of Biomanufacturing educational programs and increasing the number of graduates entering the biotechnology and Biomanufacturing workforce.