NCBiotech Center's Intellectual Exchange Groups for the Life Sciences

Exchange Groups:Exchanging Ideas Across

the Sciences

ncbiotech.org/exchange-groups

N O R T H C A R O L I N A B I O T E C H N O L O G Y C E N T E R

What are Exchange Groups?

The North Carolina Biotechnology Center fosters learning opportunities and

dynamic conversations around life science topics through support of Intellectual and

Regional Exchange Groups.

These groups provide networking opportunities and informational seminars from local and

national experts on a broad range of topics related to life science research, business and

economic issues.


Fostering Collaboration and Networking

Over 20,000 participants just since 2004!


Monthly seminars featuring nationally recognized academic and industrial plant scientists

INTELLECTUAL EXCHANGE GROUP

Plant Molecular Biology Consortium


“I met my former postdoc, Kirk Francis, through PMB. After joining my lab he helped develop some of the tools and techniques that have been the core of our research program for many years.

Kirk had been targeting an industry job and after publishing several papers with my lab he found a position with BASF in the RTP that matched what he wanted perfectly. His current position at BASF is ‘Trait Knowledge Manager’ and he still participates actively in the PMB series. I think this is a great example of how PMB has fueled the educational and work-force needs of North Carolina.”

Greg P. Copenhaver Ph.D.University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Fulfilling Workforce Needs


Workshops offered for entrepreneurial development and commercialization

REGIONAL EXCHANGE GROUP

Charlotte Ventureprise


A forum for process development scientists and engineers to discuss bioprocessing issues


Biomanufacturing and Process Development


“A BPD talk by Merck addressed aseptic robotic automation of small scale cell cultures. The technology presented could be applied to continuous cell culture seed trains in manufacturing as well as the application presented – cell line development in R&D. As always, many of the best insights come from tangential subjects.” Brad Kosiba, Ph.D.BK Collaborative LLC

Stimulating New Ways of Thinking


Serves community professionals, academics and scientists by providing a forum to discuss and explore bioethical issues


Bioethics Resource Network


Discussions on research involving lower eukaryotes including yeast, Drosophila and Chlamydomonas


Smaller Eukaryotes Group


Dozens of Exchange Group Events Annually

Over 600 Exchange Group Events since 2004!


“SEG meetings represent a vital mechanism that keeps our research community together and fosters new and important collaborations. Thus, the SEG is making an important and concrete impact to research productivity in North Carolina.”

Brian Strahl, Ph.D.Associate Professor, UNC-CH

Fostering Research Productivity


“At an SEG meeting I met Arno Greenleaf, Duke University, who was working on a related area of research. We found that our work was complementary, which led to a wonderful and mutually beneficial collaboration.”

Brian Strahl, Ph.D.Associate Professor, UNC-CH

Fostering Cross-institutional Interactions


Discussions about compelling research to science journalists and science communicators in the Research Triangle region


American Scientist Pizza Lunch


Dr. Sri Nadadur of NIEHS presented to the AmSci Pizza Lunch on potential health risks associated with environmental exposure to engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), and the role of NIEHS in establishing a program to investigate those risks and public health implications.

Nadadur’s talk made a distinct impression on the attendees that potential adverse health risk posed by ENM exposure merits a much closer look.

Exchanging Ideas


Fosters collaboration among members of the growing and dynamic fermentation/craft beverage industries of North Carolina


Craft Beverage of North Carolina


After a presentation by Dr. John Mullet at a PMB seminar, GrassRoots Biotechnology initiated a collaboration with him.

“We are collaborating with Dr. Mullet to map QTLs regulating root traits in a sorghum RIL population. We will combine our phenotype data with his genotype data to map QTL.”

Tedd Elich, Ph.D.VP & Director of ResearchGrassRoots Biotechnology Inc.

Establishing New Collaborations


“A veterinarian who attends One Health Collaborative regularly recently told me that she is making plans now not to miss 'any' of the weekly sessions that start back up in Jan – April because she has learned 'so' much that she would not have otherwise had a way to be exposed to by attending the One Health IEG discussions.”

Cheryl Stroud, D.V.M., Ph.D. Steering Committee Chair, NC One Health Collaborative

Exchanging New Knowledge


Going Strong since 1984

Plant Molecular Biology, the first IEG was formed in the 1980s


“There is no way that One Health in North Carolina would have been able to have the impact it has without being part of the NCBiotech One Health IEG. NCBiotech provides a centrally located, neutral territory for these interdisciplinary discussions to happen.”

One Health Collaborative Attendee

Fostering Partnerships


A forum for discussing scientific ideas, new directions and data analysis techniques from a wide range of genomic technologies


Genomic Sciences


“LaserTag workshops provide opportunities to obtain hands on experience with LCM application specialists from Life Technologies, Leica Microsystems, and Carl Zeiss MicroImaging Inc.”

Mary Jane Thomassen, Ph.D.Professor and Director, Program in Lung Cell Biology and Translational Research, East Carolina University

Opportunities for Experience


“I am very glad to have had the opportunity to learn from the One Health Intellectual Exchange Group. This unique way of thinking about disease prevention and management has struck a chord with me. It is a lens with which I will try very hard to view wellness through in the future. It’s implications for bountiful positive change are quite evident, and hopefully the concept can continue its growth.”




“The SEG meetings are an ideal opportunity for students and postdocs to practice their presentation skills in front of a supportive audience whose sophistication and expertise is similar to that of the best international conferences that I attend (e.g., Gordon Conferences).”

Thomas A. Kunkel, Ph.D., NIH Distinguished Investigator Leader DNA Replication Fidelity Group LaboratoryNational Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Opportunities for Experience


Promotes communication and collaboration among those interested in the biological and chemical aspects of ribonucleic acid


RNA Society of North Carolina


The RNA Symposium has a history of attracting the best and brightest in the RNA field and highlighting up-and-coming junior faculty from around the world. Specific highlights:• Seminars by Laureate Ana Yonath weeks after receiving the Nobel Prize in

Chemistry in 2009. • In 2007 Venki Ramakrishnan spoke on his research that was also part of the

2009 Nobel Prize.

Michael Jarfster, Ph.D.Associate Professor, UNC-CHSteering Chair RNA

Exposure to Nobel Laureates


Exchanging Ideas Statewide

The first REG, STEM@Starlight was formed in 2006


“What strikes me the most is the connectivity of all the disciplines we have covered; no matter how different the technology or varied the material presented, each speaker was able to connect us as a united front in the effort to achieve improved health. From the first to last class, our goal to unite these perspectives and provide a learning environment fostering growth and discussion was achieved in more ways than one.”




“The SEG meetings have educated me on the overall scope of the RTP research community in areas of shared scientific interest, thereby greatly enhancing the quality of our efforts and also educating us on a variety of interesting topics.”

Thomas A. Kunkel, Ph.D., NIH Distinguished Investigator Leader DNA Replication Fidelity Group LaboratoryNational Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Exchanging Ideas


“I’ve had two students tell me that they were so influenced by the One Health IEG discussion sessions that it changed the entire direction of their graduate programs. One switched from the social sciences to Biology at Meredith College and became deeply involved in research in a zoonotic parasitic disease.” Cheryl Stroud, D.V.M., Ph.D. Steering Committee Chair, NC One Health Collaborative



A forum for researchers to get together to discuss the latest in Laser Capture Microscopy technology and research


Laser Technologies Applications Group


In addition to introducing LCM techniques to a wide variety of participants, the workshop in Kannapolis provided attendees with a glimpse of the incredible amount of resources and equipment available at the DHMRI.

Stimulating Research


Learning from Scientists Across the Globe

Thirteen international speakers from seven countries


“A collaboration between the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering and LaserTAG spurred a mixing of ideas and perspectives between engineers and scientists.”

Mary Jane Thomassen, Ph.D.Professor and Director, Program in Lung Cell Biology and Translational Research, East Carolina University



“The lectures on classic subjects, antibiotic resistance, translational medicine, and zoonotic diseases, were extremely educational. Learning opened alleys of new possibilities for research in my mind.”


Inspiring New Ideas for Research


“On several occasions I have seen the development of collaborations through SEG, including for example the study between Kerry Bloom's lab and mine to describe the first single molecule investigation of a DNA double-strand break.

We are fortunate to have a center—NCBiotech—that brings this diverse group together and provides an incubator for stimulating ideas.”

Mike Resnick, Ph.D. SEG Steering CommitteeResearch Geneticist, NIEHS



Dr. Lance Liotta, “the father of LCM has been an avid attendee of LaserTAG meetings and an invaluable addition to the group’s meetings and workshops.

Fostering Collaborations


Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers – Eastern North Carolina Section brings together people from industry, academia, and the healthcare community to share information and learn about opportunities for partnering


Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers


“The SEG is a terrific resource and certainly accomplishes what it set out to do – foster collaborative science. The support of the NCBiotech is much appreciated and I hope that the tradition of a monthly pizza meeting will continue for many more years.”

Sue Jinks-Robertson, Ph.D.Department of Molecular Genetics and MicrobiologyDuke University Medical Center

Fostering Partnerships


Supporting entrepreneurial development in the Piedmont Region


Entrepreneur Action Team


Learning from the Best Minds in America

Speakers came from universities, companies and Federal Agencies across the U.S.



NC One Health Collaborative

To promote the health of all species by enhancing collaboration between physicians, veterinarians, researchers and other health professionals, and by increasing awareness of the interconnectedness of people, animals and environment


“As a consultant in vaccines and biotech process and facilities, I work to understand practical options for continuous cell culture at manufacturing scale; so of course I attended the BPD Cell Culture program in October. Two Genzyme scientists from Boston shared their work on achieving continuous steady state monoclonal antibody cultures stretching over months instead of days of monoclonal production. This was the first time I saw such strong data presented on this topic and it has greatly advanced my efforts.”

Brad Kosiba, Ph.D.BK Collaborative LLC

Transferring New Knowledge


“Participation in SEG has greatly benefitted our research in several ways. We have obtained very valuable feedback on our work from true experts in genetic analyses in yeast. Conversations initiated while eating pizza before and between talks have resulted in highly productive and continuing collaborations at Duke and at UNC, and identified talented graduate students who subsequently performed outstanding postdoctoral studies in my group.”

Thomas A. Kunkel, Ph.D., NIH Distinguished Investigator LeaderDNA Replication Fidelity Group LaboratoryNational Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Inspiring Scientific Exchange


Promotes collegial interactions and stimulates collaborative research among Triangle-area immunologists and virologists


Triangle Immunology & Virology Group


A forum to share ideas and information, discuss common issues and learn about programs that benefit companies in the Piedmont Region


Life Science Entrepreneurs Roundtable


Supports the ongoing economic development of the biotechnology sector in the NC Research Campus and the region


Life Science Economic Development


Strengthening clinical research in Southeastern North Carolina


NC Coast Clinical Research Initiative


Engages recognized scientists and policy makers in open discussion on leveraging research partnerships in marine biotechnology and molecular diagnostics to meet urgent challenges to ocean health and coastal community sustainability


Stewards of the Future



Scientific Diversity from the Beginning

PMB and SEG are the oldest IEGs, both formed in the early 1980s

Formerly known as Science at Starlight, emphasizes a broader scope for the seminar series to include science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), with meetings at the Starlight Café in Greenville


STEM@Starlight


Discussions on topics of drug discovery sciences and biotechnology


Triad Drug Discovery Discussion Group


Professionals committed to promoting careers, leadership, and entrepreneurship of women in the life sciences


Women in Bio


Brings together biotechnology and life sciences professionals and enthusiasts in the Piedmont Triad region


Triad Biotech Alliance


“I presented my research in the Smaller Eukaryote Meeting as a 3rd year graduate student. Afterwards a faculty member said my talk sparked his interest and asked if he could join my committee. He was a helpful committee member and a great resource as I prepare for my next steps. Thus, the Smaller Eukaryote Meeting helped me make connections that otherwise would not have happened.”

Jayme Dyer, Ph.D. Pharmacology & Cancer Biology Duke University

Forming New Connections


Intellectual Exchange Groups• Biomanufacturing and Process Development• CatalystGroup• Institute of Electric & Electronics Engineers –

Eastern North Carolina Section• LaserTag• Next Generation Sequencing Group• NC One Health Collaborative• Plant Molecular Biology Consortium• RNA Society of North Carolina• Smaller Eukaryotes Group• Triangle Immunology & Virology Group• Women in Bio

Regional Exchange Groups• American Scientist “Pizza Lunch” Lecture Series• Bioethics Resource Network• Charlotte Ventureprise• Craft Beverage of North Carolina• Entrepreneur Action Team• Genomic Sciences• LifeScience Economic Development• Life Science Entrepreneurs Roundtable• North Carolina Coast Clinical Research Initiative• STEM@Starlight• Stewards of the Future• Triad Biotech Alliance• Triad Drug Discovery Group

24 Exchange Groups across N.C.


Education

NCBiotech Center's Intellectual Exchange Groups for the Life Sciences