Supporting Student Learning and a Growing Biotechnology Industry Simultaneously STEM Tech, Kansas City MO Richard Norris, Director CPLS Elizabeth Boedeker, CRO Coordinator Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Bio-Bench Contract Research Organization

What are we? Research for hire – Academic institutions – Local area start up companies Additional training for our students – Internship opportunities within the CRO

What are we? Additional training for our students -Internship opportunities within the CRO -Assigned to CRO Partners Research for hire -Local area start up companies -BRDG Park -HELIX

Benefits are more one sided Of more benefit to the company Of more benefit to the college – Internal projects

Chaumette Vineyard Donald Danforth Plant Science Center Hank Johnson/Oliver Yu Biofermentation Optimization of yeast culture growth Use of facilities and equipment – Provide their own workers Advantage: company

STLCC Faculty Project Very interesting – Not well studied – Rare bleeding disorder Potentially could result in several scientific publications Development of clinical diagnostic test? Advantage: college/students

STLCC Aquaponics Project Combine fish and plant growth Health of fish of promenant importance Overlaps our BRDG Park and main campus – Fish maintenance at FV – Diagnostics at BRDG Park PCR optimization and assay Advantage: college/students

Benefits are BALANCED Company benefits College / students benefit

Several Types of CRO Partners Well-established companies – Usually small to medium – Have resources available Lab facilities Personnel

Phycal – Algae Company Provide Internships after convincing! 1 intern to start Currently 3 interns Some funding delays – Continue with projects – Minimized impact Advantage: college/students and company!

Small start-up companies – Extremely limited resources – Limited lab facilities if any – NO $$ Proof of concept Several Types of CRO Partners

BioGlow

Lab use agreement Example to our students Frequently in lab with students Advantage: Company and students

Electrochaea Very small start up Lab use agreement with us – Only lab space they had 4 interns trained – Biotechnology – Engineering 1 hired full-time Advantage: college/students and company!

TrophoMax Largest impact (both) Lab use agreement with us Only lab space they had Senior Scientist to oversee work (recommend)

TrophoMax -interns 3 interns assigned initially – Biotechnology – Horticulture Great experience – Deadlines and their importance – Data Proper collection documentation

TrophoMax Hit milestones they would not have otherwise Moving into next phase – Lab space in building – Hiring of intern (1) full time Huge advocates for us Advantage: college/students and company!

Vantage Links Spin-off company ELISA-based Human diagnostic testing If had student, would assign!!

Orion Systems West Join in January 2013 Short microbiology applications 6 month, but maybe longer

Laughlin Consulting Working to establish Need to get a senior scientist to oversee

Helix Center Coordinate with core there Work to get interns assigned over there Need more interns!!

Future directions-all intertwined Expanding – Engineering – Horticulture – Biotechnology – BUSINESS