Notes from Symposium Toward a Global Lab: Building Science Capacity in Developing Countries
- Lina Nilsson, UC Berkeley - building affordable infrastructure to fill the gap for countries that cannot afford commercially-produced lab equipment
- Tekla Labs initiative, teklalabs.org - free DIY online community of basic lab equipment information / kludges. Examples: cell culture shaker created from record player, blender converted into table top centrifuge. Tenets of Tekla online site: easy to follow instructions, online community to troubleshoot/improve, quality assurance and description of limitations/capabilities. Can post how-to videos online, use discussion boards to pose questions.
- Make magazine - popularity of DIY technology creation
- DIY Egg beater centrifuge proven to work as well - journal article
- 3D printing (plastic) - IKEA uses for prototypes. PrintMyLab design challenge underway now - open for all, not just UC Berkeley community. Future prospect as way to develop lab equipment. Examples already in use: containers, pipette holders, replacement pieces. Not a proven solution just yet. (Side note: 3D printing was a hot topic discussed at ALA Midwinter as well, still not clear on real applications)
- CellScope - turn a Smartphone into a microscope. Greatest interest has been in its use for diagnosing tuberculosis, ear infections.
- Barbara Gastell, Texas A&M - science writing - AuthorAID online product (supported by INASP, nonprofit supporting global research communication).
- 5 year old [project, funded by British, Danish, other governments
- hosts workshops and professional development for global authors, developing countries, online course in research writing
- Global community of online mentors
- Question on access to journals for developing countries. Responded that they assist in pointing people to the publisher agreements to developing countries that provide for low-cost or free access to research literature.
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