Biography
Biography: William Whitford
Abstract
The recent explosion in monitoring, analytics and new computing capabilities initiated the revolution we call digital bio-manufacturing. These, combined with such advances as artificial intelligence, automation and robotics are evolving our concept of manufacturing in general. The PredixTM system employed by GE is an example of how manufacturers can use continuous data acquisition, cloud technology and advanced analytics to provide a platform for the industrial internet. Changes are occurring from product development and factory operations to materials supply. These involve increased monitoring, data handling, connectivity, computer power, control algorithms and automation. DB promises such things as real-time optimization of the manufacturing process based on such highly valuable criteria as projected product quality and batch profitability. The IIoT, big data and the cloud now synergize with such initiatives as lean PPD, SCADA and DCS to advance our process control capabilities. The ability to elucidate metabolic bottlenecks in expression and PT processing combined with our heightened process control capability is opening new doors of opportunity in manufacturing efficiency and product quality. Advances in high throughput whole genomic RNA interference screening is advancing our process-control potential in mAb-relevant mammalian cell lines.