Editing Biochemical engineering (section)

== Applications ==
[[File:Applications of combinatorial gene circuit optimization strategies.svg|thumb|Applications biochemical engineering]]

=== Biotechnology ===
Biotechnology and biochemical engineering are closely related to each other as biochemical engineering can be considered a sub-branch of biotechnology. One of the primary focuses of biotechnology is in the medical field, where biochemical engineers work to design pharmaceuticals, artificial organs, biomedical devices, chemical sensors, and drug delivery systems.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.brown.edu/academics/engineering/undergraduate-study/concentrations/chemical-and-biochemical-engineering|title=Chemical and Biochemical Engineering {{!}} School of Engineering|website=www.brown.edu|access-date=2019-03-18|archive-date=2019-02-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212025428/https://www.brown.edu/academics/engineering/undergraduate-study/concentrations/chemical-and-biochemical-engineering|url-status=dead}}</ref> Biochemical engineers use their knowledge of chemical processes in biological systems in order to create tangible products that improve people's health. Specific areas of studies include metabolic, enzyme, and tissue engineering. The study of cell cultures is widely used in biochemical engineering and biotechnology due to its many applications in developing natural fuels, improving the efficiency in producing drugs and pharmaceutical processes, and also creating cures for disease.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-engineering-careers/engineering/biochemical-engineer|title=Biochemical Engineer {{!}} Science & Engineering Career|website=Science Buddies|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-18}}</ref> Other medical applications of biochemical engineering within biotechnology are genetics testing and [[pharmacogenomics]].

=== Food Industry ===
Biochemical engineers primarily focus on designing systems that will improve the production, processing, packaging, storage, and distribution of food.<ref name=":0" /> Some commonly processed foods include wheat, fruits, and milk which undergo processes such as milling, dehydration, and pasteurization in order to become products that can be sold. There are three levels of [[food processing]]: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary food processing involves turning agricultural products into other products that can be turned into food, secondary food processing is the making of food from readily available ingredients, and tertiary food processing is commercial production of ready-to eat or heat-and-serve foods. Drying, pickling, salting, and fermenting foods were some of the oldest food processing techniques used to preserve food by preventing yeasts, molds, and bacteria to cause spoiling.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.foodsystemprimer.org/food-processing/index.html|title=Food Processing|last=Driver|first=Kelly|last2=Health|first2=JH Bloomberg School of Public|website=Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health|language=en|access-date=2019-03-18|archive-date=2021-04-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427012601/http://www.foodsystemprimer.org/food-processing/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Methods for preserving food have evolved to meet current standards of food safety but still use the same processes as the past. Biochemical engineers also work to improve the nutritional value of food products, such as in golden rice, which was developed to prevent vitamin A deficiency in certain areas where this was an issue. Efforts to advance preserving technologies can also ensure lasting retention of nutrients as foods are stored. Packaging plays a key role in preserving as well as ensuring the safety of the food by protecting the product from contamination, physical damage, and tampering.<ref name=":1" /> Packaging can also make it easier to transport and serve food. A common job for biochemical engineers working in the food industry is to design ways to perform all these processes on a large scale in order to meet the demands of the population. Responsibilities for this career path include designing and performing experiments, optimizing processes, consulting with groups to develop new technologies, and preparing project plans for equipment and facilities.<ref name=":1" />

=== Pharmaceuticals ===

In the pharmaceutical industry, bioprocess engineering plays a crucial role in the large-scale production of biopharmaceuticals, such as monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and therapeutic proteins. The development and optimization of bioreactors and fermentation systems are essential for the mass production of these products, ensuring consistent quality and high yields. For example, recombinant proteins like insulin and erythropoietin are produced through cell culture systems using genetically modified cells. The bioprocess engineer’s role is to optimize variables like temperature, pH, nutrient availability, and oxygen levels to maximize the efficiency of these systems. The growing field of gene therapy also relies on bioprocessing techniques to produce viral vectors, which are used to deliver therapeutic genes to patients. This involves scaling up processes from laboratory to industrial scale while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance.<ref>{{Cite journal |author=Shukla, A. A. |author2=Thömmes, J. |author3=Hackl, M. |title=Recent advances in downstream processing of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies |journal=Biotechnology Advances |volume=30 |issue=3 |year=2012 |pages=1548–1557 |doi=10.1016/j.biotechadv.2012.04.003}}</ref> As the demand for biopharmaceutical products increases, advancements in bioprocess engineering continue to enable more sustainable and cost-effective manufacturing methods.