According to the World Health Organization, COVID-19 has killed over 6 million people worldwide. The pandemic has been a health disaster, the likes of which the world had not seen in recent history. However, things have improved, and the situation is a lot better now.
CNBC shed some light on how efficient research practices helped in the development of COVID vaccines in record time. Thanks to this, the situation with the pandemic is much better. Otherwise, things would’ve been much worse.
We need to be ready for the next pandemic, learn how and where it may come from, and, if necessary, prepare vaccines in advance to fend it off. The only way to do so is through efficient biomedical research, something that’s not possible without having a proper biomedical research facility.
In this article, we’ll tell you what colleges must do to set up a biomedical research lab.
#1 Arrange Funding
One of the most important things a college must do to set up a proper biomedical research lab is to arrange funding.
There are several ways to go about this, but the most common is through grants from federal and state agencies. These grants can be used for anything from equipment to salaries for employees.
The other option is private funding, which is often more difficult to obtain because it requires a lot of paperwork and approvals from different departments within the school as well as outside entities such as investors and venture capital firms.
Harvard Medical School recently reported that Harvard is using its summer program to welcome talented researchers to join the team and contribute to the cause. It’s possible because of Harvard’s research funding, which is one of the highest in the U.S.
At the same time, Harvard’s students are also putting in the effort to work on next-gen biomedical research, much of which has been made possible thanks to sufficient funding.
#2 Decide on the Types of Biomedical Research They Want to Do
If you’re just starting out, you may not know what your lab will focus on yet. While this is okay, it’s important to have a general idea of what direction your research will take. Once you’ve decided what type of research you want to do, write down some notes or create an outline for yourself so that when it comes time to set up the lab, it will be easy for you.
This is an important step because it will help you determine what equipment and supplies you will need for your lab.
#3 Purchase Necessary Laboratory Equipment
When setting up a laboratory, it is important to consider the equipment that will be needed.
One of the first things that colleges must do to set up a proper biomedical research lab is to purchase the necessary laboratory equipment. This includes basic items such as fume hoods, incubators, and water baths, as well as more advanced equipment like centrifuges, incubators, and autoclaves.
In addition to purchasing these items, colleges must also determine how they will be stored when not in use. They should be kept in a safe place where they cannot be tampered with or damaged.
You’ll also need cleanrooms since you’re working with biological subjects and chemicals.
Know that different experiments or projects require different types of cleanrooms to prevent contamination from airborne particles and ensure a sterile environment. Medical device cleanrooms are different from medical cleanrooms.
Medical device manufacturers use cleanrooms to avoid contaminating the hardware of their devices and making them less efficient. Medical centers use cleanrooms for testing and to avoid contamination of their test samples.
Thus, make sure you’re aware of which cleanroom system will work for your biomedical lab the best.
#4 Ensure Personnel and Property Safety in the Laboratory
The most important thing colleges must do to set up a proper biomedical research lab is to ensure personnel and property safety in the laboratory.
The research facilities that handle dangerous substances need to have an extensive safety program that includes training, equipment maintenance and repair, emergency response procedures, and quality control. This means that the researchers who work on these projects need extensive training in safety protocols, as well as regular training sessions to keep them up-to-date on new developments in safety procedures.
The researchers also need access to all kinds of equipment that can help them deal with emergencies, such as fire extinguishers, protective gear and masks, first aid kits, and spill containment equipment.
In addition to this training, colleges need to make sure that any potential hazards are identified before they become a problem. For example, if chemicals are being handled by students who are not trained in their use, those chemicals should be kept locked away until they can be properly used by someone who knows what they’re doing.
#5 Ensure Authorized Entry Only
One of the most important things colleges must do to set up a proper biomedical research lab is to ensure authorized entry only. This means that lab personnel and only lab personnel should have access to the facility.
The only exception would be if there were an emergency and authorized personnel were not on site. This will help prevent any unauthorized people from entering the laboratory and possibly causing harm or disruption in the work being performed there.
By ensuring all this, you can set up an amazing biomedical lab at your college, one that can produce amazing research work related to the field.
