Leveraging first principles modeling and cross-product process monitoring to improve process design robustness

Thesis: M.B.A., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 2015. In conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT.Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2015. In conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (pages 88-89).Abstract The vision of the Operations Technology Group at Amgen is to enable a robust pipeline through focused and efficient operations research studies. Process design is traditionally developed by performing experiments, but other approaches can be used to improve cost, efficiency, and robustness. The scope of this internship included the use of First Principles, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and Cross-Product Process Monitoring (CPPM) to improve process design robustness with reduced testing and faster development cycle. The project focused specifically on the drug product development network, which included the development of processes from formulation to filling and finishing, clinical manufacturing, and technology transfer to commercial manufacturing The goal of this internship was to explore opportunities to utilize First Principles, CFD, and CPPM in drug product process design space. First Principles and CFD modeling tools were used to look into the physics of drug product filling process (specifically parameters influencing two key filling issues - drying during line stoppage and dripping between fills). Criteria for analyzing cost and benefits for the use of First Principles were also provided as strategic recommendations on where the new approach should be utilized. Clinical data were leveraged, with multivariate statistical data analysis, to determine inspection reject limit for the purpose of process monitoring and root cause analysis.by Nahathai Srivali.M.B.A.S.M

The Carnegie Protein Trap Library: A Versatile Tool for Drosophila Developmental Studies

Metazoan physiology depends on intricate patterns of gene expression that remain poorly known. Using transposon mutagenesis in Drosophila, we constructed a library of 7404 protein trap and enhancer trap lines, the Carnegie collection, to facilitate gene expression mapping at single-cell resolution. By sequencing the genomic insertion sites, determining splicing patterns downstream of the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) exon, and analyzing expression patterns in the ovary and salivary gland, we found that 600–900 different genes are trapped in our collection. A core set of 244 lines trapped different identifiable protein isoforms, while insertions likely to act as GFP-enhancer traps were found in 256 additional genes. At least 8 novel genes were also identified. Our results demonstrate that the Carnegie collection will be useful as a discovery tool in diverse areas of cell and developmental biology and suggest new strategies for greatly increasing the coverage of the Drosophila proteome with protein trap insertions