I'm looking forward to seeing many of you at HI-TEC at the end of July!
We added a new feature to the Bio-Link program pages that we hope you like. Now, we can display a gallery with up to 8 photos on a Bio-Link program page. Photos help illustrate why students might want to attend your college and try biotechnology.
Here are some examples so you can see how the photos look:
Writing a program that displays or prints "Hello World" is a common way to demonstrate a computer language. In fact, this first step is so ubiquitous that "Hello World" has become a metaphor for any kind of demonstration system. Printing an ear, for example, is the "Hello World" of regenerative medicine.
Green fluorescent protein (GFP) is easy to produce and its visibility in natural or ultraviolet (UV) light makes it easy to observe and follow through processes. Hence, purifying GFP is the "Hello World" of biomanufacturing.
In June, Todd Smith participated in the Biotechnology Industry Fellowship Program in North Carolina where he learned how to make pharmaceutical-grade GFP. He shares lots of photos and thoughts about the experience.
We're happy to congratulate three Bio-Link programs that were awarded project grants from the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program.
Johnston Community College received funding (DUE 1902673) to work with industry partners on developing courses that integrate concepts from biomanufacturing and applied engineering. They will also provide hands-on education in a simulated drug manufacturing environment.
Quincy College received funding (DUE 1902673) to develop a virtual 3D biomanufacturing workplace that includes a Virtual Single-Use Biomanufacturing Laboratory. This funding will be augmented by a grant from the Baker-Polito Administration and Massachusetts Life Sciences Center to develop curriculum for training students in gene therapy techniques and to purchase equipment for continuous bioprocessing.
St. Louis Community College received funding (DUE 1901673) to develop new courses in targeted genome editing. If you're attending HI-TEC this July, we'll be hearing from one of the Co-PIs, Elizabeth Boedecker, at Missouri Biotech Day and tour the Danforth Center for Plant Science.
What is a Biomedical Device? - Todd Smith describes the transition from hardware-based medical devices to medical devices made from biological materials.
Bio-Link Programs that Offer Degrees or Certificates in Biomanufacturing Bio-Link programs offer several degrees or certificates that prepare students for careers in biomanufacturing. These include:
Virtual field trip: Take a Walk on the Lab Side See how biomanufacturing happens at Amgen through this virtual, interactive tour, introduced by EA Stewart.
This year, the HI-TEC conference will take place July 22-25 in St. Louis. There will be lots of things to see and do, and so we have compiled a list of sessions members of the Bio-Link community might be particularly interested in--starting with Missouri Biotech Day preconference session at the Danforth Center Auditorium on July 22nd.
AUTM is organizing a Biomanufacturing day in Seattle, Sept. 19th, in conjunction with their regional meeting. The forum will address ways that academia and industry can collaborate to validate and scale innovative manufacturing technologies to improve the production of biological therapeutics. One session of particular interest to the Bio-Link community focuses on the emerging needs in biomanufacturing education and workforce development.
Are you thinking about writing an ATE grant? Mentor Connect is ready to help. Take a look at the New-to-ATE STEM Faculty mentorship and find out how to make your ideas about technician education a reality!
Mentor-Connect also has a library of resources for prospective grant writers. If you're writing an NSF ATE grant this summer, or next year, you'll want to listen to this webinar on filling out NSF budget forms and writing budget justifications.
In this 1.5 hour, pre-recorded webinar, you'll learn:
how to prepare a budget for your NSF ATE grant
what to include in each budget category
how to prepare a budget justification
how to align the budget and project description
how to avoid common errors
And, you can download the PowerPoint slides, budget handout, and budget tutorial.
Hey industry partners:
Are you looking for employees with the right combination of lab skills and soft skills? Do you have internships for biotech students? Learn how you can post biotech job ads and internships for free.
Funding for this project has been provided through the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technology Education Program, DUE 1764225.
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation, Bio-Link, or its partners.
