An environment free of germs, dust and dirt is especially vital in industries such as the pharmaceutical, computer, medical equipment, and biotechnical. In order to train and retrain employees for these swiftly growing fields, Northampton Community College (NCC) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new “clean room” on August 14. The room is also a learning site for students in two new NCC specialized diploma programs in biomanufacturing: aseptic processing and automation control.

The room will provide a place for learners to familiarize themselves with and practice cutting-edge techniques crucial to biomanufacturing. Employees of businesses throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey can receive training without disrupting the companies’ normal production processes.

Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, the PETRI Project addresses the regional need for skilled technicians in biotechnology and biomanufacturing.

After a talk by Dr. Frank DiPino. professor of biology at Misericordia University, on eliminating waste in manufacturing protein-based drugs, representatives from sanofi pasteur, Merck, Ben Franklin TechVentures and many other companies, along with faculty and staff, progressed to the ribbon-cutting.

With assistance from NCC President Dr. Arthur Scott (left) and PETRI Project Director Cindy Adams, Erik Rydstrom, director of the product/process team at sanofi pasteur and the man who first suggested building the clean room, grasped a colossal pair of scissors and cut the blue-and-polka dot ribbon.

Lining up to enter the room, participants noticed something unusual about the threshold. From underneath the door, cool air swirled about one’s feet. The effect is caused by differential air pressures between outside and inside, keeping the air flow such that the clean room remains contaminant-free.

Defense against pollution begins in the gowning room, where entrants must don caps, masks, a polyester suit, gloves, and booties, sheathing them from head to toe. (In this instance, visitors wore booties and street clothes rather than the entire outfit.) After entering through two air-locked doors, a further protection from impurities, one finds oneself inside 190-191 Hartzell Hall. The brightly lit space contains a biological safety cabinet to protect materials and operators, a bioreactor for producing proteins, and laminator flow hoods. Specially coated and coved vinyl floors facilitate ease of cleaning. Cold air flows through special filters and is drawn through vents near the floor. Glassware and other supplies move through a pass built to bar contaminants.

The grand opening of the clean room—the culmination of seven years of brainstorming and work--was also an occasion to celebrate the many dynamic partnerships between the College and local industry. As Adams noted, twelve companies collaborated with NCC on developing curricula for NCC’s two new biomanufacturing programs and in designing the room. She expressed excitement about the career possibilities for graduates, including biomedical technician, fill-line operator and equipment operator—positions much in demand in expanding fields. Dean of Allied Health and Sciences Carolyn Bortz and Assistant Dean of Business and Technology Michael Miller described the programs that will prepare students for these important jobs.

Dennis Flynn, the president of PA Bio, an organization that represents the burgeoning number of biotechnology companies in Pennsylvania, looks forward to the role the clean room will play in expanding the workforce. “The room lays the groundwork for the future,” he said. “I am delighted that the facility is up and running. [Clean room processes] will revolutionize the way we handle debilitating diseases.” He also said that the biomanufacturing industry will drive economic growth in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Arthur Scott, president of NCC, thanked the PETRI Project crew and their industrial partners for making the clean room possible. He said he is proud of the facility and of the over 200 partnerships NCC has with businesses across the region through workforce development projects.