Duquesne University Proposes a Community BioLab in Pittsburgh
Karim Kutchi
Traditionally economic development, education, and community outreach have been spatially separate activities with common goals. It has been traditional to provide incubation and shared equipment space for biomedical start-ups within a common incubation facility, while providing separate facilities for educational activities, and for community outreach on behalf of the sciences. The Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse founded in 2002 was an excellent example of this separation. Its outstanding work in the areas of biomedical entrepreneurship and support coexist with the scientific outreach carried on by museums and schools but those activities are separate. Thus with little direct collaboration it is difficult for the broader community to understand the nature of the science and value of the entrepreneurial effort (beyond jobs) and more importantly it is difficult to encourage budding entrepreneurs and scientists that they also can succeed in this industry.
In response we would propose a hybrid facility which can provide a service to the entrepreneurial community with shared equipment and lab access, while also using the facilities for a “sandbox’ for student entrepreneurs from higher education institutions. This sandbox can also provide outreach for the broader community and particularly for “Biohackers” or “DIY biologists” amateur community scientists who learn about biotechnology through doing. Genspace in Brooklyn has taken this by allowing the community access to facilities and opportunity to carryout experiments for themselves. iGEM, a program to encourage hands-on biotechnology, now reaches beyond higher education and into the secondary school community with iGEM HS. This program encourages young high school age scientists to explore synthetic biology for themselves. We would hope to do the same with a community “sandbox” where a set of defined biological tools can be used by the public for self-discovery using do-it-yourself life science and biotechnology
We envision the community laboratory having several broad objectives:
1. Educational Outreach
· Introduction for middle-school and high-school students and teachers to the field of biotechnology and biomedicine through very age appropriate and controlled modules.
· This work could involve collaboration with local STEM education groups such as ASSET extending their reach beyond 8th grade.
2. Economic Development
· Shared equipment and support for biomedical startups. The Lab would house a core quantity of instrumentation and equipment which could be made available for rent to local start-up biomedical companies.
· The instrumentation can include research grade microscopes (confocal or epi-fluorescent imaging systems), PCR and sequencing systems, centrifuges, HPLC equipment, screening systems,
· Equipment might also include laminar flow (sterile) hoods, incubators, etc.
· The Lab could also provide limited project work on a contract basis such as preparation of materials or collection of data or images. This could also provide ongoing revenue and opportunities for student support.
3. Community Outreach
· Biotech Sandbox. The space would be available for the community DIY biologist similar to what is currently operational at Genspace. This organization provides a structured environment and training to support amateur biology and/or community involvement.
· Use of the facilities and equipment require training on safety, materials, hazards, laboratory process and instrumentation.
4. Graduate student development
· Biotech Sandbox. The sandbox also provides a place for graduate students and student entrepreneurs to experiment or refine a process just as project space is used in process of training engineering students.
· Student service through teaching. Students could provide community service by instructing lab users and maintaining equipment. This could also provide MS students with small stipends.
· Student employment and internship opportunities. Interaction with participating companies and work-for-hire would provide graduate students opportunities to network with commercial organizations, provide a service, and ideally prepare them for employment or internship opportunities.
We would also propose that the operational organization be staffed by a scientifically trained director with support from student interns recruited from local universities and who could provide onsite assistance for community. The Lab would be located outside of a university campus so that it is not competing for limited university resources and does not compromise university educational activities. It would be incorporated as an independent 501-C not for profit. Start-up funding will be requested from public and foundation sources. Operational funds could come from corporate sponsorships, company use fees, and work for hire. The objective would be to have the organization break-even in 5 years.
Issues:
Experiments involving modification of organisms must be carefully selected and controlled. Work with known pathogenic organisms or genes will not be permitted. The Lab would work with all local, state, and national authorities to insure that no Homeland Security rules are violated. We see the facility as open so that law enforcement would be a partner.
The Lab will also establish an Institutional BioSafety Committee to review proposals for work and insure the highest levels of biosafety and control of recombinant projects.
We also see careful compliance with OSHA, USDA, and EPA regulations for the use and disposal of materials and organisms. Several of the first training modules developed would involve laboratory safety, biosafety, and hazardous materials
Your comments would be very helpful!
poli
DIYsect
On Thursday, June 13, 2013 10:57:08 AM UTC-4, Karim Kutchi wrote:
Ntoscience
Ntoscience
Cathal Garvey
and spore-killing peroxide or bleach sprays for occasional use.
Autoclave everything and oven-sterilise glass/metalware to eradicate spores.
