When the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center (DEVCOM CBC) expanded the size and capabilities of its biomanufacturing hub at its Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, research campus, they realized that in order to get the most out of the expanded facility it was necessary to provide opportunities to educate their partners and stakeholders on biomanufacturing techniques and capabilities. A key partner chosen to achieve this was the Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Process Development Unit (ABPDU) based at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
The ABPDU’s mission is to speed up the commercialization of advanced, next-generation biofuels, biochemicals and other bioproducts. Together, ABPDU and the Center developed a training program to share its knowledge of biomanufacturing with researchers across the Department of Defense (DoD).
This upskilling, collaboration-building process is aimed at ultimately benefiting the warfighters by securing the supply chain they depend on. “The products we’re targeting through biomanufacturing ultimately help to secure the domestic supply chain and thus ensure we’re able to support warfighter readiness. DoD’s biomanufacturing priorities have been identified with warfighter’s needs in mind, both domestically and abroad,” said Dr. Jessica Paradysz, one of two DEVCOM CBC research biologists spearheading the program.