By Monica Chen : The Herald-Sun
Aug 6, 2008

DURHAM -- At Durham Technical Community College's campus in North Durham, hundreds of students have graduated with basic skills in laboratory work that are the first steps toward gaining entry into biotechnology, one of the Triangle's growing industries.

The program, which began in 2002 with an introductory course for those interested in biotech, pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing careers, is now Biotechnology/Pharmaceutical Pathways, a Continuing Education program.

For workers such as Ronald Gray, who had a 30-year career with various federal government agencies, enrolling in the program was a way to explore his interests in math and science and hopefully get into a new career.

After years with the IRS and the EPA as an informational technology professional, Gray said this week, "I'm burned out. No more beepers." Gray hopes to eventually get a bachelor's degree in biotechnology.

The college has partnered with Alamance Community College and N.C. Central University to provide a smooth transition for students with various levels of interest in studies.

Those who need to do so can brush up on their math and science skills through the BioPharma Boot Camp, a month-and-a-half long refresher course.

Students also can enter the BioWork program and obtain a certificate in Basic Laboratory skills. BioWork was the first semester-long course in the program that the school began offering in 2002.

If students want to pursue an Associate in Science degree, they take courses at both Durham Tech and Alamance Community College. If they want a four-year degree, they can transfer to N.C. Central University's Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise program, also known as BRITE, and complete a degree in Biotechnology and Research.

And thanks to grants from the NCCCU BioNetwork for $165,000 in the past two years, the program has been able to buy new equipment and furnish its classrooms. Merck & Co. Inc., which has a manufacturing facility in Durham, chipped in $30,000 to train instructors in July, supporting the program in its expansion in the coming years.

Instructor Ingrid Charles said the courses are convenient for students who might be working full time or are just testing the waters to see if biotech is a good fit.

"They can take it and see if they like it before they invest all the time and energy in a two- or four-year degree," she said. "We started this program based on the needs of the industry. More and more jobs require you to have those skills."

The program also offers BioPharma 1, which was begun in 2005 and offers hands-on training such as sterilization and general housekeeping of equipment. This spring, the school began offering BioPharma 2, introduction to molecular biology and recombinant DNA techniques and methods including agarose gel electrophoresis and analysis of DNA, PCR and Southern blotting.

In spring 2009, the curriculum is adding two more classes: BioProcessing in the Workplace, which provides a more advanced understanding of bioprocessing and life industries, with safety in biomanufacturing environments and others; and Cell Culture Techniques, or BioPharma 3, which introduces theory and practices required to successfully initiate and maintain animal cell culture.

Dareill Eskridge, who has been a line leader in manufacturing, is currently enrolled in BioWork and said she hopes it would help her get an entry-level job with a biopharmaceutical company.

The course helps students draft and update their résumés. Companies such as Eisai Inc. and bioMérieux have hired students from the program as well as sent employees there for refresher courses.