Upstream processing is the earliest stage in biomanufacturing that involves propagating mammalian, yeast, insect or microbial cells for producing desired products such as antibiotics, amino acids, therapeutic proteins, vaccines and viral vectors for gene therapy. In order for upstream processing to occur, appropriate nutrients must be available and stable growth environments must be tightly regulated to support the growth of these cells. Slight changes in cell cultivation environments can result in toxic accumulations that can negatively impact the viability, quality and yield of the final product. In our Upstream Processing courses, students will learn key nutritional and growth conditions via hands-on experience in media preparation and through the operation of microbial fermenters and mammalian cell culture systems.