Helpful Information
Important Information
Course Dates: April 7-9
Late Registration: After March 6
Hotel Block Expires: March 7, 2026
Course Fee: $2,500
*Register by March 6 to avoid a $500 late fee
Course Description
This course is an intermediate level course that covers the entire fermentation process from bench to pilot scale processes, including downstream processing and economic and industry perspectives.
Types of Fermentations Covered:
Precision fermentation is the primary focus of the course, with some information covering traditional and biomass fermentation.
Yeast and bacterial organisms leveraged for the growing fermentation industry: E. coli, S. cerevisiae, P. pastoris, mycelium, and others.
Techniques and considerations for producing value-added chemicals through precision fermentation. Products include building block chemicals, food ingredients, cosmetic ingredients, textiles, polymers, and fuel compounds.
Seed training to grow biomass for larger reactors.
IBRL mainly performs aerobic fermentations, so that will be the focus, although we have the capability to perform anaerobic fermentations in our facility.
Our short course is geared toward a smaller group and includes more hands-on demonstrations than a traditional conference setting. The course attendance is capped at 40 participants, so there are many opportunities for questions and networking with other course participants, speakers, and the IBRL staff. There are sessions in a classroom setting, along with hands on demonstrations in small groups in IBRL’s pilot plant and analytical lab.
Agenda
Coming Soon!
Hotel Information
IBRL has reserved a block of hotel rooms at the Holiday Inn Champaign. You can make a reservation either by calling (217) 398-3400 or by following this booking link. Rooms are available on a first come, first served basis. The block expires March 7.
Transportation & Parking
IBRL will provide shuttle transportation to and from the Holiday Inn and the various course events.
If you are not staying at the Holiday Inn, you may park in the Holiday Inn’ss lot and use the shuttle.
If you will drive yourself independently to campus, the ACES Library is at 1101 S. Goodwin Ave, Urbana, IL 61801. There is limited metered parking in the circle drive parking lot in front of the ACES Library, as well as more metered options along Pennsylvania Avenue outside of IBRL (1300 W. Pennsylvania, Urbana, IL 61801). The ACES Library is just a short walk from IBRL. The campus parking meters are monitored by Mobile Meter. Please note that unmetered parking spots are likely reserved faculty/staff spots.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations will be accepted with a full refund until March 6, 2026
Sponsorship Opportunities
IBRL gives companies the opportunity to be part of shaping and developing new and emerging talent in the field of fermentation through sponsoring the Fermentation Short Course.