Transcript Slide 1
Welcome to BioCurious
www.biocurious.org
@biocuriouslab biocuriousmembers.pbworks.com
You Are Here
And we’re really glad!
What brings you here?
What is BioCurious?
A hackerspace for biotech
Largest Citizen Science organization in the world non-profit organization (soon to be 501(c)3)
Committed to making biology accessible, affordable, and open to everyone
A community lab built for and supported by members A place to “experiment with friends”
We Care About
DIYbio Democratization of technology Education and (re)training Community outreach Creating a community of early adopters Exploring opportunities created by access to biotech tools & training
What we do
• • • • • Provide lab space and shared equipment Host classes, meetings, community events and projects Provide education – lecture & hands-on lab courses Membership = $100 per month – OR Pay $1000 for a year (2 months free!) Operating Hours – 12pm – 10pm weekdays – 10am – 10pm weekends
BioCurious demands no IP or equity from lab space users
What BioCurious is not
• • We’re not TechShop – No paid staff; we’re all volunteering our time! You have the same rights and obligations as the rest of us.
– Nobody here is supposed to clean up after you!
– Your membership fees pay for rent & basic supplies, not for the right to be educated or entertained We’re not a school, we’re a makerspace – (Almost) nobody here is a trained educator – Peer education: everybody has something to learn, and something to teach – You’re here to do stuff, not just sit back and absorb
Members make things happen!
Mission:
We believe that innovations in biology should be accessible, affordable, and open to everyone.
We’re building a community biology lab for amateurs, inventors, entrepreneurs, and anyone who wants to experiment with friends.
Timeline
• • • • • • 2009 – Garage Lab 2010 – Kickstarter Campaign Summer 2011 – Leased Building in Sunnyvale Fall 2011 – Open to The Public Today – reach thousands of people Tomorrow …
• • •
What we offer?
Access to shared lab space & equipment – – Reagent Store Mailing Address – Use of facilities and meeting rooms – Space to use and store equipment Community – With Other Members – With Local Companies – On-Line Wiki for Members Education – – Some Discounted Workshops Safety & Equipment Training
Guiding Principles: We do not exercise editorial control over projects.
We follow safety guidelines and legal restrictions
Who can do it?
Guiding Principles: Open Access to Everyone
“I’d like my 12 year old to be in your next class!”
“I’d like my 12 year old to conduct experiments!” Yes: Open access to everyone But minors must be accompanied by parent Class attendance subject to discretion of organizers
Guiding Principles: We want members to have a quality experience.
Need something, ask.
Have a suggestion, tell us.
Staffers are here to help.
Guiding Principles: We give people access and tools to find their own answers.
Community is important.
We connect people.
BioCurious Policies
Guests – Currently, we allow free co-working (guests must sign release) Space usage/events – requests submitted to [email protected]
Media – requests submitted to [email protected]
Safety – covered separately [email protected]
Non-Cash and Equipment Donations –Email [email protected]
Equipment Donation Procedures
For equipment questions, concerns, donations, problems email [email protected]
Never drop anything off at BioCurious and leave unattended
used lab equipment and biohazard issues make our neighbors nervous, and earn us visits from SWAT teams in bunny suits.
Never drop anything off at BioCurious that hasn’t been accepted/approved
Equipment Donation Procedures
What we accept
• We have wishlists - https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0ByIgvp7w4IABYjg2 ZDdlNDUtZjRlNS00NzMyLThlODgtZDdmYjhlYmU5ZTR i&hl=en_US – lab equipment & supplies – general office stuff – chores
Classes
• • • • http://www.meetup.com/BioCurious/ We offer lecture and lab classes Schedule is on-line, and updated often Check regularly for updates • Got an idea for a class? Let us know: [email protected]
In the first BioCurious classes:
Students built PCR machines, extracted and sequenced their own DNA, and analyzed SNP variants bioinformatically.
Students of all ages collaborate in the BioCurious labspace
Selected Projects at BioCurious • • • Community Projects: – BioPrinter, Bioluminescence, Lab Robotics, Bioinformatics Lab Equipment Projects: – BioPrinter, Gel Doc, cheap and fast gel electrophoresis system using web cams to capture images Reagent Store, member-run purchasing club for sharing expensive enzymes and plasmids
What’s happening around the lab?
• • • • Tue 7pm: Molecular Biology of the Cell Study Group Every other Wed, 5:30pm: Coast-to-Coast Journal Club Thu 7:30pm: BioPrinter (talk to Patrik!) Sun 10am: Biolab Automation group
Community meeting : Saturday, February 22, 10am – 12pm
BioCurious Partners Corporate Sponsors
Contact Info
• • • • • Main Phone (may not be answered): 408 475-2BIO (2246) Emergency Number: 831-740-6774 [email protected]
What we expect from you
• • • • • • Use the lab safely and legally at all times Notify staff if you are expecting a delivery Keep the lab clean (clean up after yourself) Share ideas, feedback, knowledge Have fun Remember this is your space!
Make things happen!
Your questions and feedback
• • • We need them, today and in the future There’s never been anything like BioCurious before We’ll incorporate your best ideas into resources, future training
How can YOU get more involved?
So glad you asked!
Attend a class Teach a class Start a project Lead a project Start a company Change the world
Building YOUR community
• • What do you want to do?
– Project/People Matching Social Media – [email protected]
– Some community project sub groups – Twitter – Facebook – LinkedIn
Be part of the Next Big Thing to come out of a Silicon Valley garage