How to Find the Perfect Biotech Lab for Your Startup։ 5 Tips for Armenian Researchers

You've got a big idea brewing. Your concepts hold great potential, but to bring them to life, you need a proper biotech lab.

Finding the ideal lab space, however, often can be tougher than it seems. And setting one up yourself is a hefty financial burden and presents numerous challenges.

There are 3 main challenges Armenian research teams face due to a lack of lab space:

• Partial control of their research: By outsourcing their analyses, Armenian startups often rely on other laboratories to obtain their results. However, this practice results in the loss of direct oversight of the lab processes and the ability to conduct own analyses.
• Shortage of experienced laboratory specialists: Without their own laboratory space, Armenian research teams struggle to expand their experimental capabilities. This limitation restricts the development of specialists with the skills needed to operate advanced lab equipment effectively.
• Disconnection from the Armenian environment: Unable to find a local platform for their research, Armenian teams start focusing on foreign markets, shifting away from addressing local issues and developing locally relevant products.

How to address these challenges? Specialist says you CAN find the right lab in Armenia, instead of outsourcing.

Silva Gevorgyan, PhD in Chemical Sciences and Manager of B-On, Armenia's first biotech lab with shared lab spaces, believes that access to laboratories is crucial for the growth of Armenian scientific startups. She provides her guide on how to find the ideal laboratory.

Let's explore essential features of an optimal laboratory environment and key considerations when choosing one.

5 Criteria (tips) for Choosing the Right Lab for Your Research

Choosing the perfect biotech laboratory involves more than just securing the right equipment. It requires careful planning and consideration of various factors to ensure optimal functionality, efficiency, and safety. Here's what Silva considers essential:

Tip 1: Choose a lab with specialized zones

Separate areas for labs, storage, and office spaces are an important part of lab layout. This functional segregation not only prevents contamination but also ensures that every element finds its designated place, ensuring organizational efficiency.

Tip 2. Make sure the lab has specialized equipment

PCR machines, spectrophotometers, chromatography equipment, and other specialized tools are essential for advanced experiments and analyses. These tools are crucial in drug discovery, environmental monitoring, biochemical analysis and general research in the biotech field.

Tip 3. Include automation to maximize efficiency

It helps to streamline equipment booking, data collection, and protocol access to minimize errors and maximize efficiency.

Tip 4. Ensure the lab meets the safety measures needed

Clear emergency protocols, readily available eyewash stations, and well-maintained safety equipment provide peace of mind. Environmental control is just as important. Precise temperature, humidity, and air quality are vital for sensitive experiments and sample storage.

Tip 5. Get to know operating standards

In terms of reliability Standard Operating Procedures with regular checks and equipment calibration are key for ensuring accuracy and precision.

The Steps to Finding Your Lab Match

The hunt for the ideal lab requires careful consideration. Here are some key steps Silva recommends.

Step 1. First things first: define your needs

Identify the type of research you'll be conducting and list the specific equipment and facilities you require.

Step 2. Explore your options

There are various types of labs to consider, each with its pros and cons:

• University labs offer some equipment and expertise but might have limitations on project timelines and ownership of discoveries.
• Contract Research organizations provide flexibility and expertise, yet their services may be expensive.
• Shared lab spaces offer a middle ground, with fully equipped labs, service packages, and rental options. On the other hand, due to the high number of residents in these laboratories, it is often not possible to have all the necessary equipment readily available․

Step 3. Location matters too

Consider a lab close to your main operations for easier communication and problem-solving.

Step 4. Evaluate the ease of communication and collaboration with the lab’s staff

This can significantly foster smooth progress of your research, create a rich environment for knowledge sharing and benefit your team from the experience and insights of lab personnel.

Finally, make sure the lab adheres to all safety regulations relevant to your field.

Becoming a Lab Pro: Essential User Habits

Once you've found your perfect lab space, it's time to become a responsible and efficient user.

• Familiarize yourself with the lab's layout, emergency exits, equipment locations, and designated task areas. Follow the lab’s operating procedures to maintain safety and workflow consistency.

• Remember! Safety first. Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment․

Keep in mind! Maintaining a clean and organized workspace is key, and labeling everything helps keep things running smoothly. In addition to this, treat the equipment with respect. Read manuals, follow maintenance protocols, and dispose of chemicals properly. Document everything: keep accurate and detailed logs of your experiments and results.

Finally, be a good lab citizen. Don't monopolize equipment or space and leave things clean for the next user.

The Bigger Picture: What Awaits You in the Lab

Biotechnology laboratories are designed to accommodate a broad spectrum of research activities - from analyzing DNA to culturing cells. Each type of research focuses on distinct aspects of the biological and technological domains, aiming to achieve diverse objectives such as innovation, profound understanding, development, or discovering new applications. Let’s specify in the case of B-On.

The lab focuses on fields like molecular biology, genetics, protein chemistry, cell biology, microbiology, and analytical chemistry (DNA Analysis, Genotyping, Protein Analysis: Western Blotting, Cell Analysis, Microbial Culture, Microbial Identification, Cell Culture, etc.)

So, what kind of support can you expect from a lab?

Besides the access to advanced equipment and workstations tailored to different types of research, safety should be prioritized with emergency showers, eyewash stations, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits readily available.

It is also important to have training programs ensuring that all personnel are well-versed in safety protocols and procedures, maintaining a secure working environment. In the case of B-On, on-site support staff are also on hand to help with any issues and to provide maintenance services for lab equipment, ensuring continuous functionality.

Co-working labs typically foster the most collaborative atmosphere, encouraging interaction among researchers within the facility. These labs often organize regular workshops, and conferences to provide platforms for sharing knowledge and staying updated on the latest advancements in the field.

Finding the perfect lab space is crucial for a successful journey. By carefully considering all these criteria, your lab can become the launchpad for discoveries that change the world.

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