Open Lab Blueprint

What is the Open Lab?

Genspace has a unique opportunity to expand its impact beyond its physical presence in New York and bring hands-on involvement with synthetic biology to schools and communities around the world. The Open Lab is the key step towards this vision; it is the complete set of knowledge, tools, and resources required to successfully develop a thriving community biolab, all created following open source principles. Enthusiast communities and organizations around the world can partner with the Open Lab to fill in key gaps in knowledge, tools, or resources to launch their own community biolabs.

What is currently being developed for the Open Lab?

Genspace is currently focusing on two essentials projects that will form the core of the knowledge and tool components for the Open Lab.

1. Open Lab Blueprint – visit OpenLab-Blueprint.org to view.

Open Lab Blueprint Screenshot

The Open Lab Blueprint is an easy-to-follow guide to launch and develop a sustainable community biolab. The website is a work in progress and is hosting at OpenLab-Blueprint.org. This Blueprint is a holistic view of the community biolab and includes the following components:

• Starting up a lab, including identifying the right space, acquisition of key equipment, and efficiently implementing safety standards and best practices.
• Developing a community, including building awareness, developing programs of engagement for students, the amateur scientists, and the general public, and collaborating with the broader scientific and educational communities.
• Creating unique content, including educational resources, using the Genspace curriculum and engaging activities, focused on tailored, site-specific explorations and experiments.
• Operating a biolab, including a resource base of protocols for standard genetic engineering activities, geared towards a budget-constrained lab, operational best-practices ranging from procurement of reagents to proper storage of experiments, and financial sustainability models.

Pilot