Establishing a new research facility: Flinders Advanced Analytical Laboratory (FAAL) Lyn Spencer Flinders University

TechTrain 2004 July 1-2Lyn Spencer: FAAL establishment2 Background: Bio Innovation SA Bio Innovation SA is a South Australian Government organisation established to accelerate the development of the bioscience industry. is a South Australian Government organisation established to accelerate the development of the bioscience industry. The Adelaide Integrated Biosciences Laboratories (AIB Labs) The Adelaide Integrated Biosciences Laboratories (AIB Labs) is an initiative between Bio Innovation SA, South Australia's 3 universities and key bioscience research institutes is an initiative between Bio Innovation SA, South Australia's 3 universities and key bioscience research institutes The Flinders Advanced Analytical Laboratory is the first purpose-built consolidated ‘node’ of BioInnovation SA’s Adelaide Integrated Biosciences Laboratories The Flinders Advanced Analytical Laboratory is the first purpose-built consolidated ‘node’ of BioInnovation SA’s Adelaide Integrated Biosciences Laboratories Ref http//:

TechTrain 2004 July 1-2Lyn Spencer: FAAL establishment3 The Concept: The AIB Labs model is a ‘virtual facility’ designed to: The AIB Labs model is a ‘virtual facility’ designed to: maximise the availability of equipment across institutions maximise the availability of equipment across institutions promote the sharing of technical expertise and build the pool of technical capabilities promote the sharing of technical expertise and build the pool of technical capabilities increase interaction between researchers across institutions and with industry increase interaction between researchers across institutions and with industry increase the transparency of collaboration increase the transparency of collaboration broaden the pool of potential collaborators broaden the pool of potential collaborators deliver first class teaching and research training to the bioscientists of the future deliver first class teaching and research training to the bioscientists of the future Contribute to the quality of bioscience publications Contribute to the quality of bioscience publications

TechTrain 2004 July 1-2Lyn Spencer: FAAL establishment4 The AIB Nodes: Flinders Campus Node (Flinders University and Flinders Medical School) Flinders Campus Node (Flinders University and Flinders Medical School) Adelaide Central Node (University of Adelaide, University of South Australia - School of Pharmacy, IMVS/Hanson Institute, Child Health Research Institute, and the proposed Adelaide Medical Research Institute for Women's & Children's Health) Adelaide Central Node (University of Adelaide, University of South Australia - School of Pharmacy, IMVS/Hanson Institute, Child Health Research Institute, and the proposed Adelaide Medical Research Institute for Women's & Children's Health) Waite Campus Node (University of Adelaide, Australian Genome Research Facility, Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, Australian Wine Research Institute and the South Australian Research & Development Institute) Waite Campus Node (University of Adelaide, Australian Genome Research Facility, Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, Australian Wine Research Institute and the South Australian Research & Development Institute) Mawson Lakes Node (Ian Wark Research Institute, Uni of South Australia) Mawson Lakes Node (Ian Wark Research Institute, Uni of South Australia) The Flinders Advanced Analytical Laboratory represents the future of high-end analytical research capability, and a ‘new age’ in how research is conducted The Flinders Advanced Analytical Laboratory represents the future of high-end analytical research capability, and a ‘new age’ in how research is conducted

TechTrain 2004 July 1-2Lyn Spencer: FAAL establishment5 In the beginning…. However, it began in the traditional fashion in early 2002: However, it began in the traditional fashion in early 2002: A group of researchers desiring the use of mass spectrometry A group of researchers desiring the use of mass spectrometry Prof. Greg Barritt and A.Prof. John Rice as Directors of Flinders research Institutes pushing the AIB concept Prof. Greg Barritt and A.Prof. John Rice as Directors of Flinders research Institutes pushing the AIB concept Gradually convincing the researchers that pooling resources (both purchasing and purchased) provided a very powerful argument to attract further funding and ‘grow’ Gradually convincing the researchers that pooling resources (both purchasing and purchased) provided a very powerful argument to attract further funding and ‘grow’ My involvement began in September 2002 when the possibility of purchasing ‘some’ mass spectrometers began to coalesce to reality My involvement began in September 2002 when the possibility of purchasing ‘some’ mass spectrometers began to coalesce to reality And some planning was needed…. And some planning was needed…. Industry approach would be: Need MSWho?Purchase MSHow?Where? But c’mon…this is a University…. Purchase MSWhere?Who?How?

TechTrain 2004 July 1-2Lyn Spencer: FAAL establishment6 Why me???? I was asked to manage: I was asked to manage: The renovation of a dedicated area in the faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) The renovation of a dedicated area in the faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) The installation of the mass spectrometers The installation of the mass spectrometers The employment of operators and an interpretive/manager position The employment of operators and an interpretive/manager position The establishment of management systems for training, access, cost recovery The establishment of management systems for training, access, cost recovery Why me? Why me? I wholeheartedly supported the centralised concept I wholeheartedly supported the centralised concept I had significant experience in renovation (recycling) of laboratories I had significant experience in renovation (recycling) of laboratories I was in the 1 st year of a 2 year x0.5 secondment to the position of Faculty Technical Services Manager therefore it was relevant to my role I was in the 1 st year of a 2 year x0.5 secondment to the position of Faculty Technical Services Manager therefore it was relevant to my role I thought it would be challenging… I thought it would be challenging… I was a sucker? I was a sucker? And…I have a background in microbiology and immunology – what is a mass spec? And…I have a background in microbiology and immunology – what is a mass spec?

TechTrain 2004 July 1-2Lyn Spencer: FAAL establishment7 The renovation: The location: The location: Suite of 2 laboratories and service rooms in FSE formerly used for physics undergraduate practicals Suite of 2 laboratories and service rooms in FSE formerly used for physics undergraduate practicals Initial approach: Initial approach: Extracted the engineering, environmental and logistical requirements for each mass spectrometer from the (poorly written) installation manuals Extracted the engineering, environmental and logistical requirements for each mass spectrometer from the (poorly written) installation manuals ambient temperature control ambient temperature control power and services power and services vibration-free benches vibration-free benches vacuum pump venting vacuum pump venting preferred positioning of components for ease of servicing and access preferred positioning of components for ease of servicing and access Worked with University architect in 2 stages to remodel the area within the constraints of finances and the instrument requirements Worked with University architect in 2 stages to remodel the area within the constraints of finances and the instrument requirements Solid oak tables were recycled as acceptable ‘vibration-free’ benches Solid oak tables were recycled as acceptable ‘vibration-free’ benches A chemical storage and preparation area was located centrally to jointly service both laboratory areas A chemical storage and preparation area was located centrally to jointly service both laboratory areas Designed to accommodate future secure sample handling and tracking Designed to accommodate future secure sample handling and tracking

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TechTrain 2004 July 1-2Lyn Spencer: FAAL establishment9

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TechTrain 2004 July 1-2Lyn Spencer: FAAL establishment11 The people and the politics Although I was asked to ‘manage’ the AAL from its inception: Although I was asked to ‘manage’ the AAL from its inception: We had a Users Group to do that…. We had a Users Group to do that…. Not all were truly committed to the centralised concept Not all were truly committed to the centralised concept A few were bullying, demanding, intimidatory, impatient and one of life’s rather unpleasant experiences A few were bullying, demanding, intimidatory, impatient and one of life’s rather unpleasant experiences ….am I staying calm? The focus was on personal needs, and policy development etc ‘could be done down the track’ The focus was on personal needs, and policy development etc ‘could be done down the track’ We needed staff before the instruments were installed to take advantage of the installation training We needed staff before the instruments were installed to take advantage of the installation training We needed policies and procedures to manage training, access and cost recovery We needed policies and procedures to manage training, access and cost recovery This group eventually reached agreement on charges and some policy issues but I tended to just go ahead with what had to be done to get the facility ready for users This group eventually reached agreement on charges and some policy issues but I tended to just go ahead with what had to be done to get the facility ready for users

TechTrain 2004 July 1-2Lyn Spencer: FAAL establishment12 Starting out: In the absence of any operational policies, I wrote a position description for what I envisaged would be a hands-on instrument operation and maintenance role: In the absence of any operational policies, I wrote a position description for what I envisaged would be a hands-on instrument operation and maintenance role: It was agreed that the cost of this position would be shared between the schools of Biological sciences and Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences – in reality, due to funding constraints, 2x 0.5 positions were advertised and 1x 0.5 staff from each School was appointed: It was agreed that the cost of this position would be shared between the schools of Biological sciences and Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences – in reality, due to funding constraints, 2x 0.5 positions were advertised and 1x 0.5 staff from each School was appointed: Peter Pfeiffer and Dominic Reppucci Peter Pfeiffer and Dominic Reppucci There was no start-up budget (but we had $1m of cool instrumentation) There was no start-up budget (but we had $1m of cool instrumentation) Significant expenditure was required for installation reference materials and consumables, plus basic laboratory equipment Significant expenditure was required for installation reference materials and consumables, plus basic laboratory equipment I was able to establish an account: I was able to establish an account: With permission to go into deficit and roll that deficit over in anticipation of cost-recovery With permission to go into deficit and roll that deficit over in anticipation of cost-recovery Debts eventually exceeded $30k before use and cost recovery started to ramp up Debts eventually exceeded $30k before use and cost recovery started to ramp up

TechTrain 2004 July 1-2Lyn Spencer: FAAL establishment13 The instruments: 1) Maldi-ToF Micromass (Waters) MS Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (MALDI-TOF MS) Micromass (Waters) MS Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (MALDI-TOF MS) Incorporating both linear and reflectron modes Incorporating both linear and reflectron modes Adaptable for a wide range of applications requiring high sensitivity and mass measurement accuracy across a wide mass range for: Adaptable for a wide range of applications requiring high sensitivity and mass measurement accuracy across a wide mass range for: Protein Identification Protein Identification Intact protein analysis Intact protein analysis Bacterial Mass Fingerprinting Bacterial Mass Fingerprinting Industrial polymer analysis Industrial polymer analysis DNA/oligonucleotide analysis DNA/oligonucleotide analysis Significant problems post-installation caused delays and frustration – now ~OK Significant problems post-installation caused delays and frustration – now ~OK

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TechTrain 2004 July 1-2Lyn Spencer: FAAL establishment15 The instruments: 2) LC MS/MS Waters Micromass Quattro micro API Mass Spectrometer Waters Micromass Quattro micro API Mass Spectrometer Waters Micromass Quattro micro API Mass Spectrometer Waters Micromass Quattro micro API Mass Spectrometer high precision tandem quadrupole mass analyzer technology for: high precision tandem quadrupole mass analyzer technology for: general quantification general quantification environmental analysis environmental analysis neonatal screening neonatal screening bioanalysis bioanalysis Industry standard approach for dedicated quantitative analysis: Part per billion detection of drug metabolites Tandem mass spectrometry for structural analysis

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TechTrain 2004 July 1-2Lyn Spencer: FAAL establishment17 The instruments: 3) Stable isotope ratio MS GV Instruments IsoPrime stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer Measures isotopic ratios on light elements - C, H, O, N and S Very expensive to commission Still not in paying service

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TechTrain 2004 July 1-2Lyn Spencer: FAAL establishment19 The instruments: 4) Biacore 2000 BiaCore 2000 Surface Plasmon Resonance Exceptionally sensitive optical biosensor technique generating vital information on biomolecular interactions

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TechTrain 2004 July 1-2Lyn Spencer: FAAL establishment21 Policies and procedures Training Training Installation Installation On-going – authorised users On-going – authorised users Access Access Authorised users only Authorised users only Swipe card Swipe card Booking Booking On-line database On-line database Authorised users only Authorised users only Linked to charge, reporting summary of user charges for administrator Linked to charge, reporting summary of user charges for administrator

TechTrain 2004 July 1-2Lyn Spencer: FAAL establishment22 A manager at last… Funding was attracted from Bio-Innovation SA for a manager/interpretive position Funding was attracted from Bio-Innovation SA for a manager/interpretive position I also wrote this position description ‘blind’ I also wrote this position description ‘blind’ We were very fortunate to attract and appoint Dr. Daniel Jardine We were very fortunate to attract and appoint Dr. Daniel Jardine Formerly from Macquarie University Formerly from Macquarie University Extensive hands-on MS experience Extensive hands-on MS experience Extensive experience in a similar facility Extensive experience in a similar facility

TechTrain 2004 July 1-2Lyn Spencer: FAAL establishment23 I gratefully handed over to Daniel in February this year I gratefully handed over to Daniel in February this year

TechTrain 2004 July 1-2Lyn Spencer: FAAL establishment24 Where to now? The facility will be officially launched in September The facility will be officially launched in September Must attract external users to improve cost-recovery Must attract external users to improve cost-recovery Must maintain numbers of users to ensure leverage for replacement instruments Must maintain numbers of users to ensure leverage for replacement instruments All the impatience and demands to get the instruments installed and available have not been matched with USE by several groups All the impatience and demands to get the instruments installed and available have not been matched with USE by several groups Will be expanded strategically to further strengthen this node of expertise, and improve research outcome opportunities for AIB participants Will be expanded strategically to further strengthen this node of expertise, and improve research outcome opportunities for AIB participants