establishing a new research facility: flinders advanced analytical laboratory (faal) lyn spencer...

Establishing a new research Establishing a new research facility:facility:

Flinders Advanced Analytical Flinders Advanced Analytical Laboratory (FAAL)Laboratory (FAAL)

Lyn SpencerLyn SpencerFlinders UniversityFlinders University

TechTrain 2004 July 1-TechTrain 2004 July 1-22

Lyn Spencer: FAAL establishmentLyn Spencer: FAAL establishment 22

Background:Background:

Bio Innovation SABio Innovation SA is a South Australian Government organisation established to is a South Australian Government organisation established to

accelerate the development of the bioscience industry.accelerate the development of the bioscience industry.

The Adelaide Integrated Biosciences Laboratories (AIB Labs)The Adelaide Integrated Biosciences Laboratories (AIB Labs) is an initiative between Bio Innovation SA, South Australia's 3 is an initiative between Bio Innovation SA, South Australia's 3

universities and key bioscience research institutesuniversities and key bioscience research institutes

The The Flinders Advanced Analytical LaboratoryFlinders Advanced Analytical Laboratory is the first purpose-built is the first purpose-built consolidated ‘node’ of BioInnovation SA’s Adelaide Integrated Biosciences consolidated ‘node’ of BioInnovation SA’s Adelaide Integrated Biosciences LaboratoriesLaboratories

Ref http//:www.bioinnovationsa.sa.gov.auRef http//:www.bioinnovationsa.sa.gov.au



The Concept:The Concept: The AIB Labs model is a ‘virtual facility’ designed to:The AIB Labs model is a ‘virtual facility’ designed to:

maximise the availability of equipment across institutionsmaximise the availability of equipment across institutions promote the sharing of technical expertise and build the promote the sharing of technical expertise and build the

pool of technical capabilitiespool of technical capabilities increase interaction between researchers across increase interaction between researchers across

institutions and with industryinstitutions and with industry increase the transparency of collaborationincrease the transparency of collaboration broaden the pool of potential collaboratorsbroaden the pool of potential collaborators deliver first class teaching and research training to the deliver first class teaching and research training to the

bioscientists of the futurebioscientists of the future Contribute to the quality of bioscience publicationsContribute to the quality of bioscience publications



The AIB Nodes:The AIB Nodes: Flinders Campus NodeFlinders Campus Node (Flinders University and Flinders Medical (Flinders University and Flinders Medical

School)School)

Adelaide Central NodeAdelaide Central Node (University of Adelaide, University of South (University of Adelaide, University of South Australia - School of Pharmacy, IMVS/Hanson Institute, Child Health Australia - School of Pharmacy, IMVS/Hanson Institute, Child Health Research Institute, and the proposed Adelaide Medical Research Institute Research Institute, and the proposed Adelaide Medical Research Institute for Women's & Children's Health) for Women's & Children's Health)

Waite Campus NodeWaite Campus Node (University of Adelaide, Australian Genome (University of Adelaide, Australian Genome Research Facility, Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, Research Facility, Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, Australian Wine Research Institute and the South Australian Research & Australian Wine Research Institute and the South Australian Research & Development Institute) Development Institute)

Mawson Lakes NodeMawson Lakes Node (Ian Wark Research Institute, Uni of South (Ian Wark Research Institute, Uni of South Australia)Australia)

The The Flinders Advanced Analytical LaboratoryFlinders Advanced Analytical Laboratory represents the future represents the future of high-end analytical research capability, and a ‘new age’ in how of high-end analytical research capability, and a ‘new age’ in how research is conductedresearch is conducted



In the beginning….In the beginning…. However, it began in the traditional fashion in early 2002:However, it began in the traditional fashion in early 2002:

A group of researchers desiring the use of mass spectrometryA group of researchers desiring the use of mass spectrometry Prof. Greg Barritt and A.Prof. John Rice as Directors of Flinders research Institutes Prof. Greg Barritt and A.Prof. John Rice as Directors of Flinders research Institutes

pushing the AIB conceptpushing the AIB concept Gradually convincing the researchers that pooling resources (both purchasing Gradually convincing the researchers that pooling resources (both purchasing

and purchased) provided a very powerful argument to attract further funding and and purchased) provided a very powerful argument to attract further funding and ‘grow’‘grow’

My involvement began in September 2002 when the possibility of My involvement began in September 2002 when the possibility of purchasing ‘some’ mass spectrometers began to coalesce to realitypurchasing ‘some’ mass spectrometers began to coalesce to reality

And some planning was needed….And some planning was needed….

Industry approach would be:Industry approach would be:Need MS

Who? Purchase MS

How?Where?

But c’mon…this is a University….But c’mon…this is a University….

Purchase MS

Where? Who? How?



Why me????Why me???? I was asked to manage:I was asked to manage:

The renovation of a dedicated area in the faculty of Science and Engineering The renovation of a dedicated area in the faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE)(FSE)

The installation of the mass spectrometersThe installation of the mass spectrometers The employment of operators and an interpretive/manager positionThe employment of operators and an interpretive/manager position The establishment of management systems for training, access, cost recoveryThe establishment of management systems for training, access, cost recovery

Why me?Why me? I wholeheartedly supported the centralised conceptI wholeheartedly supported the centralised concept I had significant experience in renovation (recycling) of laboratoriesI had significant experience in renovation (recycling) of laboratories I was in the 1I was in the 1stst year of a 2 year x0.5 secondment to the position of Faculty year of a 2 year x0.5 secondment to the position of Faculty

Technical Services Manager therefore it was relevant to my roleTechnical Services Manager therefore it was relevant to my role I thought it would be challenging…I thought it would be challenging… I was a sucker?I was a sucker? And…I have a background in microbiology and immunology – what is a mass And…I have a background in microbiology and immunology – what is a mass

spec?spec?



The renovation:The renovation: The location:The location:

Suite of 2 laboratories and service rooms in FSE formerly used for physics Suite of 2 laboratories and service rooms in FSE formerly used for physics undergraduate practicalsundergraduate practicals

Initial approach:Initial approach: Extracted the engineering, environmental and logistical requirements for each Extracted the engineering, environmental and logistical requirements for each

mass spectrometer from the (poorly written) installation manualsmass spectrometer from the (poorly written) installation manuals ambient temperature controlambient temperature control power and servicespower and services vibration-free benchesvibration-free benches vacuum pump ventingvacuum pump venting preferred positioning of components for ease of servicing and accesspreferred positioning of components for ease of servicing and access

Worked with University architect in 2 stages to remodel the area within the Worked with University architect in 2 stages to remodel the area within the constraints of finances and the instrument requirementsconstraints of finances and the instrument requirements

Solid oak tables were recycled as acceptable ‘vibration-free’ benchesSolid oak tables were recycled as acceptable ‘vibration-free’ benches A chemical storage and preparation area was located centrally to jointly service A chemical storage and preparation area was located centrally to jointly service

both laboratory areasboth laboratory areas Designed to accommodate future secure sample handling and trackingDesigned to accommodate future secure sample handling and tracking



The people and the politicsThe people and the politics Although I was asked to ‘manage’ the AAL from its inception:Although I was asked to ‘manage’ the AAL from its inception:

We had a Users Group to do that….We had a Users Group to do that…. Not all were truly committed to the centralised conceptNot all were truly committed to the centralised concept A few were bullying, demanding, intimidatory, impatient and one of life’s A few were bullying, demanding, intimidatory, impatient and one of life’s

rather unpleasant experiencesrather unpleasant experiences…….am I staying calm?.am I staying calm?

The focus was on personal needs, and policy development etc ‘could be The focus was on personal needs, and policy development etc ‘could be done down the track’done down the track’

We needed staff before the instruments were installed to take We needed staff before the instruments were installed to take advantage of the installation trainingadvantage of the installation training

We needed policies and procedures to manage training, access and We needed policies and procedures to manage training, access and cost recoverycost recovery

This group eventually reached agreement on charges and some This group eventually reached agreement on charges and some policy issues but I tended to just go ahead with what had to be done policy issues but I tended to just go ahead with what had to be done to get the facility ready for usersto get the facility ready for users



Starting out:Starting out:

In the absence of any operational policies, I wrote a position description In the absence of any operational policies, I wrote a position description for what I envisaged would be a hands-on instrument operation and for what I envisaged would be a hands-on instrument operation and maintenance role:maintenance role:

It was agreed that the cost of this position would be shared between the It was agreed that the cost of this position would be shared between the schools of Biological sciences and Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences – in schools of Biological sciences and Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences – in reality, due to funding constraints, 2x 0.5 positions were advertised and 1x reality, due to funding constraints, 2x 0.5 positions were advertised and 1x 0.5 staff from each School was appointed:0.5 staff from each School was appointed:

Peter Pfeiffer and Dominic ReppucciPeter Pfeiffer and Dominic Reppucci

There was no start-up budget (but we had $1m of cool instrumentation)There was no start-up budget (but we had $1m of cool instrumentation) Significant expenditure was required for installation reference materials and Significant expenditure was required for installation reference materials and

consumables, plus basic laboratory equipmentconsumables, plus basic laboratory equipment I was able to establish an account:I was able to establish an account:

With permission to go into deficit and roll that deficit over in anticipation of cost-With permission to go into deficit and roll that deficit over in anticipation of cost-recoveryrecovery

Debts eventually exceeded $30k before use and cost recovery started to ramp upDebts eventually exceeded $30k before use and cost recovery started to ramp up



The instruments:The instruments:1) Maldi-ToF1) Maldi-ToF Micromass (Waters) M@ldi-ToF MSMicromass (Waters) M@ldi-ToF MS

Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (MALDI-TOF MS)Spectrometer (MALDI-TOF MS)

Incorporating both linear and reflectron modesIncorporating both linear and reflectron modes

Adaptable for a wide range of applications requiring high sensitivity and Adaptable for a wide range of applications requiring high sensitivity and mass measurement accuracy across a wide mass range for:mass measurement accuracy across a wide mass range for:

Protein Identification Protein Identification Intact protein analysis Intact protein analysis Bacterial Mass Fingerprinting Bacterial Mass Fingerprinting Industrial polymer analysis Industrial polymer analysis DNA/oligonucleotide analysis DNA/oligonucleotide analysis

Significant problems post-installation caused delays and frustration – now Significant problems post-installation caused delays and frustration – now ~OK~OK



The instruments:The instruments:2) LC MS/MS2) LC MS/MS

Waters Waters MicromassMicromass Quattro micro API Mass Spectrometer Quattro micro API Mass Spectrometer

high precision tandem quadrupole mass analyzer technology high precision tandem quadrupole mass analyzer technology for:for:

general quantificationgeneral quantification environmental analysisenvironmental analysis neonatal screeningneonatal screening bioanalysis bioanalysis

Industry standard approach for dedicated quantitative analysis:

Part per billion detection of drug metabolites Tandem mass spectrometry for structural analysis

http://www.waters.com/WatersDivision/Contentd.asp?ref=JDRS-5L7P9T





The instruments:The instruments:3) Stable isotope ratio MS3) Stable isotope ratio MS

GV Instruments IsoPrime stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer

Measures isotopic ratios on light elements - C, H, O, N and S

Very expensive to commission Still not in paying service



The instruments:The instruments:4) Biacore 20004) Biacore 2000

BiaCore 2000 Surface Plasmon ResonanceExceptionally sensitive optical biosensor technique generating vital information on biomolecular interactions



Policies and proceduresPolicies and procedures TrainingTraining

InstallationInstallation On-going – authorised usersOn-going – authorised users

AccessAccess Authorised users onlyAuthorised users only Swipe cardSwipe card

BookingBooking On-line databaseOn-line database Authorised users onlyAuthorised users only Linked to charge, reporting summary of user charges for Linked to charge, reporting summary of user charges for

administratoradministrator



A manager at last…A manager at last…

Funding was attracted from Bio-Innovation SA for a Funding was attracted from Bio-Innovation SA for a manager/interpretive positionmanager/interpretive position

I also wrote this position description ‘blind’I also wrote this position description ‘blind’

We were very fortunate to attract and appoint Dr. Daniel We were very fortunate to attract and appoint Dr. Daniel JardineJardine Formerly from Macquarie UniversityFormerly from Macquarie University Extensive hands-on MS experienceExtensive hands-on MS experience Extensive experience in a similar facilityExtensive experience in a similar facility



I gratefully handed over to DanielI gratefully handed over to Danielin February this yearin February this year



Where to now?Where to now?

The facility will be officially launched in SeptemberThe facility will be officially launched in September Must attract external users to improve cost-recoveryMust attract external users to improve cost-recovery Must maintain numbers of users to ensure leverage for Must maintain numbers of users to ensure leverage for

replacement instrumentsreplacement instruments All the impatience and demands to get the instruments All the impatience and demands to get the instruments

installed and available have not been matched with USE by installed and available have not been matched with USE by several groupsseveral groups

Will be expanded strategically to further strengthen this Will be expanded strategically to further strengthen this node of expertise, and improve research outcome node of expertise, and improve research outcome opportunities for AIB participantsopportunities for AIB participants

establishing a new research facility: flinders advanced analytical laboratory (faal) lyn spencer...

Documents

research training

new research facility

imvshanson institute

australian centre

south australias

bioscience industry

aib concept

aib labs model