Biomedical Sciences Collaboratory
Enhancing our innovative and collaborative research group to speed biomedical discovery
Department of Biomedical Sciences
Neuroscience Collaboratory
Purpose
Create a unique research environment where students and scientists work together to advance the field of neuroscience and develop innovations capable of solving challenging problems facing humanity.
Rationale
STEM research conducted in academic and non-academic settings have unique limitations and advantages. Academic research has a high rate of innovation and discovery. In part, this stems from the autonomous management of each laboratory that enables the principal investigator to independently identify critical research problems and approaches. In contrast, corporate research often uses a centralized approach to maximize productivity. Here, we propose a unique research structure the merges the advantages of each approach to optimize productivity and rate of discovery while potentially reducing the effort required of individual investigators.
Approach
The Collaboratory speeds discovery by
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Completing aspects of the academic scientific workflow (and related activities) that can be more efficiently completed by a corporate-like departmental research team. This frees up academic researchers to focus on activities that lead to scientific discovery.
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Facilitating data collection for highly innovative ideas that are too early or too high-risk for extramural funding support.
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Providing students with cutting edge training in biomedical research, technology development, and data analysis.
Centralization of key operational activities would enable faculty to better focus their talents and specialized training on activities that directly lead to scientific discovery. To do this, BISC will establish a Neuroscience Collaboratory. Collaboratories are new research support models that enhance efficient use of resources and better support collaborative research.
The BISC Neuroscience Collaboratory enhances research by leveraging our collaborative culture, shared equipment, and financial resources.
Supported by the Department of Biomedical Sciences, the Charles E. Kubly Mental Health Research Center, and the BISC sterilization monitoring service.