Bioprocess Online Training using Digital Twin (BOT-DT)

Performance Period: 9/1/2021 to 5/31/2023

Keck Graduate Institute (KGI), OUAT!, Santa Clara University (SCU), Cal Poly (CP), Merck, Catalent and Sartorius are partnering to develop blended training resources using video, animation and virtual reality. These modules will engage students in online courses, while providing a simulated hands-on experience.

Remote education approaches have become critical to delivering a skilled biopharmaceutical manufacturing workforce. These tools will provide sustainable benefit beyond the pandemic response, providing the biopharmaceutical industry with access to lower cost, on-demand training with no travel expenses.

Traditionally, individualized training modules have been poorly suited for fast evolving educational needs. Recent developments in virtual reality for equipment design can be leveraged to replicate the practical sessions with customized facility simulations which are vital in developing proficiency for complex operations.

Through collaboration with OUAT!, we will use the HakoBio platform to build a Digital Twin for one upstream operation (rocker bioreactor) and one downstream operation (tangential flow filtration/TFF) as proof-of-concept. Process data will be integrated into the Digital Twin to provide real-time scenario training. Small groups of students will complete the modules at KGI, SCU and CP and knowledge and skills assessments will be completed to determine learning and retention provided by the new modules.