What do u need to start a lab? - (Feb/21/2008 )
Hi all,
I am planning to start a Lab on my own (from scratch!!!).. Well its kind of like to give students some practical exposure. So for starters I have planned to cover all basic things such as cell culture, PCR, western blotting, DNA isolation, Protein isolation, etc. My idea is basically to encourage students to research and also provide practical opportunities for students who are unable to get hands on experience just because money is the issue. I am not claiming I am going to do this for free, but of course, its going to be charged at a lower rate than usual!!! Because I was a student and always wanted learn things by practically doing it more than just reading about them theoretically. So I am making an estimation of how much the whole project that I have in mind would cost. So can you all please suggest things like what are the machinery and things I would need to start a a lab?? Things like pipettes to inverted microscope, please let me know. Also kindly suggest me what experiments can be taught to a bachelor's student who would ultimately either look out for a job or pursue higher studies!!!
My idea basically is, since many computer courses are there in the market as a step to gain entry to software companies, I am planning on certificate courses to get into R&D in both a Industry and Academia. I also have future plans which I will definitely carry on once this is successful... Please pour in your suggestions, and remember I am not doing this for money, its for people who are not able to do gain practical exposure in this amazing field. Thanks one and all!!!
Hi you,
Nice idea, so this might be a little bit blunt....are you the right person to set up courses if you have no idea on which type of equipement and types of experiments undergraduates need to know/do? Or are you going to hire people that do have a clue?
But anyhow, if you like to do this go ahead!
There are several experiments etc. etc. that you can just pluck from the www. from renowned universities bachelor programs. Or just email around. I know that "practicals", so gaining hands on experience, is standard in most mainland european university bachelor programs, so you could start your www. search there...
About equipement: with students doing things for the first time...especially when they handle things like chloroform and high molecular acids/bases you might want to consider to have some safety cabinets and flow-cabinets in your rooms....
And for PCR etc. etc. there are now suppliers who have super quick PCR machines&enzymes that allow you to do PCRs in the fraction of a time most labs are doing it currently. For practicals this is ideal. Consumables are slightly more expensive but the lab time and teaching time you save makes it more economical.
If you buy equipment from suppliers for teaching stuff you can negotiate larger discounts than normal, especially if you allow company posters to be hang up in the room and stuff. These are quite normal things universities do around the world --> companies like to supply their stuff for these kinds of practical rooms because students get accustemed with their equipement and get comfortable using their crap: this makes them buy there crap also later on apparently. so get discounts up to 40%...
30% should easily feasable, otherwise get someone to help you that can negotiate more effectively....
But even cheaper, there are many opportunities to buy good second hand lab equipment these days. From anything from GC's to tetrad PCR machines...But of course the manufacturers will charge you more for maintenance if you are not the direct buyer....and you will need maintenance when scores of undergraduates are running amock...
And get the second hand machines from ISO certified labs, this garantuees the machines are safe since they need to be regularly maintained and cleaned to get some of the ISO standards.
Well, good luck to you....
I am planning to start a Lab on my own (from scratch!!!).. Well its kind of like to give students some practical exposure. So for starters I have planned to cover all basic things such as cell culture, PCR, western blotting, DNA isolation, Protein isolation, etc. My idea is basically to encourage students to research and also provide practical opportunities for students who are unable to get hands on experience just because money is the issue. I am not claiming I am going to do this for free, but of course, its going to be charged at a lower rate than usual!!! Because I was a student and always wanted learn things by practically doing it more than just reading about them theoretically. So I am making an estimation of how much the whole project that I have in mind would cost. So can you all please suggest things like what are the machinery and things I would need to start a a lab?? Things like pipettes to inverted microscope, please let me know. Also kindly suggest me what experiments can be taught to a bachelor's student who would ultimately either look out for a job or pursue higher studies!!!
My idea basically is, since many computer courses are there in the market as a step to gain entry to software companies, I am planning on certificate courses to get into R&D in both a Industry and Academia. I also have future plans which I will definitely carry on once this is successful... Please pour in your suggestions, and remember I am not doing this for money, its for people who are not able to do gain practical exposure in this amazing field. Thanks one and all!!!
Hi,
Thanks for the reply. Yes I will be hiring few peope to assist me... I am currently working as a research associate, so i dont think it should be a problem. I just wanted to get opinion for various people and their suggestions as to what they look in for a fresher.... And I am starting this lab in India since we lack practical exposure. Since I am in the UK now, I struggled a bit to make my mark here just because I have never seen pipette tips ever before.. Now of course am fluent with these things!! So please keep your suggestions pouring... Thanks a lot guys!!!!!!!!