Bridging Experimental and Theoretical Learning in Bioprocess Education: Teaching Protein Chromatography Through Laboratory Practice and Superpro Designer Simulation
Academic Article in Scopus
Teaching complex bioprocess operations such as protein chromatography requires integrated strategies that combine theoretical understanding, experimental skills, and process engineering analysis. This study presents a hybrid learning approach implemented in the Planning of Biotechnological Processes course at Tecnológico de Monterrey, which combined hands-on affinity chromatography with process simulation using SuperPro Designer. Students first purified a recombinant chromoprotein expressed in Escherichia coli using a nickel-affinity column and then simulated the same process digitally to explore possible improvements, scale-up, and technoeconomic evaluation. Both quantitative outcomes, including mean course grades of 92.7 ± 4.3 over 100 and an institutional satisfaction score of 9.92 ± 0.26 over 10, together with qualitative feedback, indicated that the integration of experimental and simulation-based learning enhanced engagement and conceptual understanding. These results suggest that simulation activities reinforced the comprehension of chromatography principles and further strengthened students' confidence and preparedness for future laboratory practice. The combined use of physical experimentation and digital modeling fostered a cyclical and bidirectional learning process, strengthening analytical reasoning, creativity, and professional readiness. This methodology can be extended to other unit operations such as filtration, fermentation, and cell culture, offering a scalable framework for experiential learning in bioprocess engineering.
