--- title: Are You Wasting Time In Your Bioprocessing Workflows? - Synthace description: As a bioprocessing engineer, handling complex development procedures can be time-consuming. How can Design of Experiments (DOE) help? image: https://www.synthace.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/AdobeStock_1277444341-1.jpeg --- [Skip to content](https://www.synthace.com/blog/are-you-wasting-time-in-your-bioprocessing-workflows#main-content) [![synthace-logo](https://www.synthace.com/hubfs/nb-icons/synthace-logo.svg) ](https://www.synthace.com/) - [What we do](https://www.synthace.com/what-we-do) - What we offer - [Automated multivariate experiments](https://www.synthace.com/powerful-experiments) - [How we enable powerful experiments](https://www.synthace.com/how-we-enable-powerful-experiments) - [How we work together](https://www.synthace.com/how-we-work-together) - [Assay development](https://www.synthace.com/powerful-experiments/doe-for-assay-development) - [Media optimization](https://www.synthace.com/powerful-experiments/media-optimization) - [Miniaturized purification](https://www.synthace.com/miniaturized-purification) - [Purification optimization](https://www.synthace.com/miniaturized-purification/purification-optimization) - [Our customers](https://www.synthace.com/who-our-customers-are) - [Resources](https://www.synthace.com/resources) - [Blog](https://www.synthace.com/blog) - [Case studies](https://www.synthace.com/resources#case-study) - [DOE email course](https://www.synthace.com/design-of-experiments-doe-training) - [DOE webinar masterclass](https://www.synthace.com/design-of-experiments-masterclass-for-biology) - [Automation masterclass](https://www.synthace.com/automation-masterclass-lab-automation-for-biologists-synthace) - [Synthesis newsletter](https://www.synthace.com/newsletter) - [Dilution calculator](https://www.synthace.com/dilution-calculator) - [Company](https://www.synthace.com/about) - [About](https://www.synthace.com/about) - [News](https://www.synthace.com/news-room) - [Careers](https://www.synthace.com/about/careers) - [Partners](https://www.synthace.com/about/partners) - [Leadership](https://www.synthace.com/about/leadership) [![Request a Demo](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3810965/ec58bd9f-c2a8-4023-b989-3d7566c0bb38.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3810965/ec58bd9f-c2a8-4023-b989-3d7566c0bb38) - [What we do](https://www.synthace.com/what-we-do) - What we offer - [Automated multivariate experiments](https://www.synthace.com/powerful-experiments) - [How we enable powerful experiments](https://www.synthace.com/how-we-enable-powerful-experiments) - [How we work together](https://www.synthace.com/how-we-work-together) - [Assay development](https://www.synthace.com/powerful-experiments/doe-for-assay-development) - [Media optimization](https://www.synthace.com/powerful-experiments/media-optimization) - [Miniaturized purification](https://www.synthace.com/miniaturized-purification) - [Purification optimization](https://www.synthace.com/miniaturized-purification/purification-optimization) - [Our customers](https://www.synthace.com/who-our-customers-are) - [Resources](https://www.synthace.com/resources) - [Blog](https://www.synthace.com/blog) - [Case studies](https://www.synthace.com/resources#case-study) - [DOE training course](https://www.synthace.com/design-of-experiments-doe-training) - [Webinars](https://www.synthace.com/resources#webinar) - [Podcast](https://www.synthace.com/cabtalks-by-synthace) - [Dilution calculator](https://www.synthace.com/dilution-calculator) - [Other resources](https://www.synthace.com/resources) - [Company](https://www.synthace.com/about) - [About](https://www.synthace.com/about) - [News](https://www.synthace.com/news-room) - [Life at Synthace](https://www.synthace.com/about/life-at-synthace) - [Careers](https://www.synthace.com/about/careers) - [Partners](https://www.synthace.com/about/partners) - [Leadership](https://www.synthace.com/about/leadership) [![Request a Demo](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3810965/ec58bd9f-c2a8-4023-b989-3d7566c0bb38.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3810965/ec58bd9f-c2a8-4023-b989-3d7566c0bb38) ** ** [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://www.synthace.com/blog/are-you-wasting-time-in-your-bioprocessing-workflows](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://www.synthace.com/blog/are-you-wasting-time-in-your-bioprocessing-workflows) August 16, 2019 # Are You Wasting Time In Your Bioprocessing Workflows? Written by: [Synthace Team](https://www.synthace.com/blog/author/synthace-team) ## Optimize Your Process Using Synthace's DoE Software   ![Video thumbnail](https://www.synthace.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/796392125-431dd798b112f77d96fb5861a048742276ba90fef6f936037943da7eab141a37-d_295x166-3.jpeg)   *A preview of the plate setup and liquid handling steps of the DoE performed by Oxford Biomedica to enhance their in-house lentiviral vector development process. Full data provenance is assured as Synthace tracks the liquid handling steps in the sequence.* ## Challenge: Trying to do more with outdated tools An article last December in *R&D Magazine* said one of the main challenges in bioprocessing beyond 2019 will be continuously delivering new, high quality therapeutics to patients [1]. And to do so faster and cheaper, whilst meeting strict compliance standards. But as a bioprocessing engineer, you know that handling complex development procedures to reach these goals isn’t possible using traditional methods for collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data. For example, wasteful procedures using basic software like Excel can cost more than 52 days per scientist every year. And between 10-20% of development work has to be repeated because of problems relating to accessibility and unreliable data [1]. Delays in research and repeated experiments add extra costs onto an already expensive process. And these costs and time delays don’t even need to be that large. Smaller expenses and hold-ups can have a significant impact if left unchecked over long periods. So optimizing productivity is critical in your bioprocessing workflow. It ensures you’re making the best use of your time and resources. In fact, of all the trends covered in the *Annual Report and Survey of Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing* by *BioPlan Associates*, an increase in productivity was cited as one of the most important factors [2]. > "In a recent process optimization study with Oxford Biomedica, design of experiments saved 40 hours FTE, and gave a 3 to 10-fold increase in vector titer, with an 81% reduction in pure error" How experimental design can help Most of these challenges will not be solved until companies eliminate the bottlenecks caused by unreliable data, data handling, and throughput. And they can do this using Computer-Aided Biology (CAB). CAB is the intersection of biology and technology, where next-generation technology can support and augment human capabilities in biological research. A full discussion of CAB is beyond the scope of this blog post, so for more information, you can download our [white paper](https://www.synthace.com/computer-aided-biology/). But one area of CAB that deserves special attention is the ability to enable users to truly leverage a Quality by Design (QbD) approach earlier in the value chain (e.g. R&D). Tools that enable users to perform sophisticated and complex multi-factorial experiments, known as *Design of Experiments (DoE)* [4]. Instead of trying to optimize complex biological systems using a brute force “one factor at a time” approach commonly adopted in discovery, DoE leverages statistics to enable a multi-factorial approach. DOEs can be performed manually or on integrated software on robots, but the complexity of design is restricted by the amount of time and effort it takes the operator to plan, program, and then perform the experiments. Taking a computer-aided biology approach means scientists can perform more complex DoE’s with greater efficiency, increasing the size of the design space they can realistically explore, and thus delivering more robust processes. For example, DoE can help you develop the right experimental designs within a specific budget and timeframe, and ensure your analysis gives you reliable data. In a quality by design (QbD) framework, it can quickly optimize purification conditions and help you get the highest yield of active product throughout your downstream processing. Bottom line: you shouldn’t be wasting time on arduous and repetitive jobs like pipetting, robotic programming or endlessly messing around with data in Excel. As this can lead to errors, issues with reproducibility, and delays in experimental work. Instead, you can make your job (and your life) much easier with a CAB approach. You can also perform sophisticated multi-factorial DoE-based procedures, which allow for a bigger design space and ultimately more insight. This level of complex experiment is only possible by adopting tools in the CAB cycle. ## DOE increases yield, increases process robustness, and reduces experimental error For instance, bacterial cellulose is a natural and biodegradable type of cellulose that has applications in many industries. But a regular supply is delayed by sluggish manufacturing and the batch-to-batch variability of the yield. Basu *et al.* developed an approach for characterizing bacterial cellulose production using DoE methods. They used these methods to study the impact of different parameters on desired process attributes [5]. This experimental design approach resulted in a projected cellulose yield as high as ∼40 g/L for Gluconacetobacter hansenii 53582 grown on sucrose, compared to previously reported yields of ∼10 g/L. Here’s another example: *Oxford Biomedica* used our experimental design software – an easy-to-use cloud-based system that can implement multi-factorial DoE optimization – to boost the efficiency and robustness of their in-house lentiviral vector development [6]**.** Optimizing this development would have been challenging if *Oxford Biomedica* had tried to use manual methods, because of the sheer number of experimental runs and overall intricacy of the setup. But experimental design saved **40 hours on their experiments**, and gave a **3 to 10-fold** **increase in vector titer**, **with an** **81% reduction in pure error** [6]. You can learn more about this case study at https://www.synthace.com/platform/case-studies/detail/design-of-experiments-doe-with-oxford-biomedica/. ## Ready to Learn More? Want more information on how DoE can help you save time and improve your bioprocessing procedures? Click the link below to learn more about the Synthace platform, which allows you to leverage the benefits of multi-factorial optimization without strenuous planning or manual liquid handling. Click the link below right now: [*Multifactorial Experiments Made Easy*](https://synthace.com/multifactorial-experimentation-made-easy) You’ll be taken to the *DoE *information page where you can enter your email address and sign up for more information. You’ll also be able to book a demo. ### **References** [1] [https://www.rdmag.com/article/2018/12/2019-bioprocess-industry-big-challenges-year-ahead](https://www.rdmag.com/article/2018/12/2019-bioprocess-industry-big-challenges-year-ahead) [2] *15th Annual Report and Survey of Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing*, BioPlan Associates, Inc., April 2018 [http://bioplanassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/15thAnnualBiomfgReport_TABLEOFCONTENTS-LR.pdf](http://bioplanassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/15thAnnualBiomfgReport_TABLEOFCONTENTS-LR.pdf) [3] [http://www.pharmtech.com/current-challenges-bioprocesses-development](http://www.pharmtech.com/current-challenges-bioprocesses-development) [4] [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24123959](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24123959) [5] [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0144861718312839](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0144861718312839) [6] [https://www.synthace.com/platform/case-studies/detail/design-of-experiments-doe-with-oxford-biomedica/](https://www.synthace.com/platform/case-studies/detail/design-of-experiments-doe-with-oxford-biomedica/) Tag(s): [Design of Experiments (DOE)](https://www.synthace.com/blog/tag/design-of-experiments-doe) , [Applications](https://www.synthace.com/blog/tag/applications) ## [Synthace Team](https://www.synthace.com/blog/author/synthace-team) ## Other posts you might be interested in [View All Posts](https://www.synthace.com/blog) [ Design of Experiments (DOE) ## Here’s Why You Should Stop Doing Science Like You Were Taught in High School: Part 2 In part 2 of this series, Dr Milena Brunner goes into more detail about how DOE is so closely related to automation and outlines a case study. ![Milena Brunner, PhD](https://www.synthace.com/hubfs/2022-new-website/Photos/Blog%20Author%20Photos/dr-milena-brunner.jpg) Milena Brunner, PhD ** 6 min ](https://www.synthace.com/blog/heres-why-you-should-stop-doing-science-like-you-were-taught-in-high-school-part-2) [ Design of Experiments (DOE) ## How To Get Started With Design of Experiments Unlock possibilities and discover how to get started using Design of Experiments by visiting Synthace and reading our latest blog today. ![Synthace Team](https://www.synthace.com/hubfs/2022-new-website/Blog%20Assets/Synthace-Brandmark-White.png) Synthace Team ** 6 min ](https://www.synthace.com/blog/how-to-get-started-with-design-of-experiments) [ Platform updates ## Four more ways Synthace makes your experiments more likely to succeed We’ve added features to the Synthace platform that address these four experimental challenges directly, and we think you’re going to like them. ![Sam Oliver](https://www.synthace.com/hubfs/2hi5skfV_400x400.jpg) Sam Oliver ** 5 min ](https://www.synthace.com/blog/four-more-ways-synthace-platform) ## Subscribe to email updates Additional content around the benefits of subscribing to this blog feed. ![footer-logo](https://www.synthace.com/hubfs/nb-logos/footer-logo.svg) - Company - [Contact us](https://www.synthace.com/contact-us) - [About](https://www.synthace.com/about) - [News](https://www.synthace.com/news) - [Life at Synthace](https://www.synthace.com/about/life-at-synthace) - [Careers](https://www.synthace.com/about/careers) - Synthace Discovery - [What we do](https://www.synthace.com/what-we-do) - [Powerful experiments](https://www.synthace.com/powerful-experiments) - [How we enable powerful experiments](https://www.synthace.com/how-we-enable-powerful-experiments) - [Case studies](https://www.synthace.com/resources#case-study) - Resources - [Blog](https://www.synthace.com/blog) - [Dilution calculator](https://www.synthace.com/dilution-calculator) - [DOE training course](https://www.synthace.com/design-of-experiments-doe-training) - [DOE Masterclass](https://www.synthace.com/design-of-experiments-masterclass-for-biology) - [Synthesis newsletter](https://www.synthace.com/newsletter) - [Automation Masterclass](https://www.synthace.com/automation-masterclass) Copyright © 2026 Synthace. 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