Industrial fermentation utilizes microorganisms to transform raw materials into products ranging from renewable fuels and pharmaceuticals to food and beverages. To help meet industry demands, the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) partners with Virginia Tech to offer periodic VT-IALR Industrial Fermentation Workshops.

These workshops are led by IALR’s Applied Research division, which conducts research and provides services and partnership opportunities in biotechnology, controlled environment agriculture and analytical chemistry. With an emphasis on agriculture, the division showcases real-world applications of microbial processes and bioprocessing innovations.

The next workshop is January 12-16. Anyone interested in attending should contact Scott Lowman, IALR’s Vice President of Applied Research. 

Building Biotech Skills

These fermentation workshops combine classroom instruction, laboratory experiments and real-world insights into scaling up microbial processes. 

Hands-On, Interactive Learning

These workshops provide practical experience and help participants connect laboratory research with commercial-scale production.

Attendees gain hands-on experience operating advanced equipment, including bioreactors, autoanalyzers and laboratory monitoring systems. They learn essential skills such as

  • Preparing microbial cultures;
  • Setting optimal fermentation conditions (temperature, pH, oxygen levels);
  • Collecting and analyzing real-time process data; and
  • Troubleshooting common scale-up challenges.

Participants work directly with fermenters and industry-standard instrumentation, bridging the gap between theory and practical application.

Taught by Industry Experts

Sessions feature practical demonstrations and instruction from industry experts:

  • Distek Inc. – Providing state-of-the-art bioreactors and hands-on system training.
  • Xylem Inc. – Demonstrating autoanalyzer technology for fermentation process monitoring.
  • Sable Fermentation Inc. – Sharing strategies used by contract research organizations to optimize microbial processes.
  • International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), Health & Biosciences Division – Teaching fundamentals and scale-up techniques through an interactive approach.
  • Eppendorf – Showcasing fermentation equipment operations and data management.

Preparing the Future Workforce

These workshops attract students, laboratory technicians and industry professionals. By combining theory with practice, participants gain skills to address fermentation challenges in agriculture, pharmaceuticals and advanced manufacturing.

The VT-IALR Industrial Fermentation Workshops position Southern Virginia as a hub for biotechnology innovation and workforce development.