BioMarin Field Trip
We went on a field trip to BioMarin to learn about the processes of the company and the different jobs there.
At BioMarin, they develop and provide therapeutics to patients who live with genetic and life-threatening diseases. The products they bring to the market are for small patient populations of mostly children. They do clinical trials to bring their drugs to patients.
The main goal of the company is to maximize the shareholder value of BioMarin.
In the first station of the trip, I learned about protein purification. Once the cells are developed, High Pressure Liquid Chromatography uses chromatography columns to purify the cells. Based on the protein charge, the scientists use the opposite charge to attract the cells and move them through the column. A spectrophotometer is used in this lab to detect and measure the protein in cells. The second lab, we learned about analytical chemistry and protein characterization. CHO cells are used with proteins to create new enzymes for lysosomal storage diseases. We saw bioreactors that hold and feed cells to keep them alive.
I liked that I was able to see the variety of jobs available at a biotechnology company. I also enjoyed seeing the progress they have made throughout the phases of their current project.
I would like to learn more about the bioreactors and the trial and error process that has to go into characterizing and purifying certain proteins in their therapeutics.
At BioMarin, they develop and provide therapeutics to patients who live with genetic and life-threatening diseases. The products they bring to the market are for small patient populations of mostly children. They do clinical trials to bring their drugs to patients.
The main goal of the company is to maximize the shareholder value of BioMarin.
In the first station of the trip, I learned about protein purification. Once the cells are developed, High Pressure Liquid Chromatography uses chromatography columns to purify the cells. Based on the protein charge, the scientists use the opposite charge to attract the cells and move them through the column. A spectrophotometer is used in this lab to detect and measure the protein in cells. The second lab, we learned about analytical chemistry and protein characterization. CHO cells are used with proteins to create new enzymes for lysosomal storage diseases. We saw bioreactors that hold and feed cells to keep them alive.
I liked that I was able to see the variety of jobs available at a biotechnology company. I also enjoyed seeing the progress they have made throughout the phases of their current project.
I would like to learn more about the bioreactors and the trial and error process that has to go into characterizing and purifying certain proteins in their therapeutics.