Designed for scientists and engineers working in biopharmaceutical discovery, development, and manufacturing, this dynamic four-day course explores various strategies for overcoming challenges related to the stability, solubility, and viscosity of biotherapeutics. There is a focus on a fundamental mechanistic understanding of protein stability, providing the basis for formulating and stabilizing biopharmaceuticals. The course will also present advances in emerging areas, such as cell and gene therapy as well as machine learning.
THIS COURSE MAY BE TAKEN INDIVIDUALLY OR AS part of THE PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN BIOTECHNOLOGY & LIFE SCIENCES.
Biotherapeutics are complex molecular species with numerous routes of both chemical and physical instability, which can manifest from discovery through development and manufacturing. Addressing these instabilities presents a sizable challenge, because of the complexity of the biotherapeutics themselves and the multiplicity of degradation mechanisms.
This course addresses those challenges, with a focus on mechanistic understanding leading to rational strategies for formulation and stabilization. Numerous modalities are addressed, from globular proteins and monoclonal antibodies to peptides, vaccines, antibody-drug conjugates, oligonucleotides, cell therapy, and gene therapy. Formulations can include liquid dosage forms that range from low to high concentration along with frozen and lyophilized compositions. Stability and drug delivery issues are presented including their association with packaging, devices, and bioprocessing. Cutting-edge approaches are also included, such as physico-chemical-based predictive methods and machine learning.
Certificate of Completion from MIT Professional Education
The type of content you will learn in this course, whether it's a foundational understanding of the subject, the hottest trends and developments in the field, or suggested practical applications for industry.
- Fundamentals: Core concepts, understandings, and tools - 30%
- Latest Developments: Recent advances and future trends - 30%
- Industry Applications: Linking theory and real-world - 25%
- Other: Decision making and designing for change - 15%
How the course is taught, from traditional classroom lectures and riveting discussions to group projects to engaging and interactive simulations and exercises with your peers.
- Lecture: Delivery of material in a lecture format - 65%
- Discussion or Groupwork: Participatory learning - 25%
- Labs: Demonstrations, experiments, simulations - 10%
What level of expertise and familiarity the material in this course assumes you have. The greater the amount of introductory material taught in the course, the less you will need to be familiar with when you attend.
- Introductory: Appropriate for a general audience - 10%
- Specialized: Assumes experience in practice area or field - 70%
- Advanced: In-depth exploration at the graduate level - 20%