Microbial Cell Production Facility

University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota is adding a new building to the Saint Paul Campus in order to develop state-of-the-art fermentation processes for leaders in the biotech industry. The project consists of a brand new stand-alone biomanufacturing innovation center to accommodate expansion of the College of Biological Sciences’ Biotechnology Resource Center (BRC) program. The building is sized to accommodate a second, complementary tenant to share resources.

The new facility will grow BRC’s capabilities for microbial cell production services, R&D, and consulting, and is intended to be the start of the new Biotech Quadrant on the Saint Paul Campus. Sustainability features include a solar-thermal wall, rooftop PV capabilities, expansion of district utilities, and B3 SB 2030 energy standard compliance. A custom two-story art installation incorporates scientific imagery at micro and macro scales, including cells, bacteria, algae, plant cross sections, neurons, and more.