Biochemical engineering is a branch of chemical engineering that applies engineering principles to biological systems. It is a broad field that covers all aspects of the design, development, and operation of processes that use biological agents, such as microorganisms, enzymes, and cells, to produce useful products.
The field of biochemical engineering emerged in the mid-20th century. It was born out of the need to scale up the production of penicillin, an antibiotic that was discovered in 1928. The first biochemical engineers were chemical engineers who applied their knowledge of fermentation and process control to the production of penicillin. The field has continued to evolve over the years, with new technologies and methodologies emerging all the time.
Today, biochemical engineering is a critical part of the biotechnology industry. It is used to produce a wide variety of products, including pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and food and beverages. The demand for biochemical engineers is high, and the field is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. The field is constantly evolving, with new technologies and platforms emerging all the time.