• Facebook
  • Google Plus
  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter

Menu

Skip to content
  • About
  • Staff
  • Contact
  • Support
  • Advertise
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
Header image

Times of San DiegoLogo

Local News and Opinion for San Diego

Menu

Skip to content
  • All
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Education
  • Arts
  • Military
  • Tech
  • Life
  • Opinion
Search Thousands of San Diego Jobs
  • Crash Cuts Power to 439 SDG&E Customers in North Coastal Area
  • Chula Vista Police Seek Driver in Hit-and-Run Crash that Killed Pedestrian, 85
  • Sen. Harris, Secretary of State Padilla Resign in Preparation for Their New Roles
  • 'Widespread HIGH Winds!' Seen as Santa Anas Loom, Boosting Fire Danger
  • Lamont Jackson Chosen Interim SD Unified Superintendent When Marten Leaves

Home » Tech » This Article

Citizen Science Advances in San Diego with Library Bio Lab

Posted by Chris Jennewein on September 1, 2015 in Tech | 316 Views
| Comments | Leave a Comment
Share This Article:
Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail
Rep. Scott Peters talks to students learning to extract DNA at the new lab. Photo by Chris Jennewein
Rep. Scott Peters talks to students learning to extract DNA at the new lab. Photo by Chris Jennewein

San Diego opened what may be the first public biotech laboratory anywhere at a city branch library on Tuesday, giving a boost to the growing citizen-science movement.

Support Times of San Diego's growth
with a small monthly contribution

Become a supporter

Rep. Scott Peters joined Mayor Kevin Faulconer and to open the laboratory at the La Jolla/Riford branch library.

“Students, parents and anyone with a real curiosity about science will have access to scientific equipment  that you wouldn’t see outside of a university or a commercial laboratory,” he said.

“This biotech lab is a game changer for San Diego,” said Faulconer, who added the facility will help encourage creative thinking in San Diego.

The new lab, which joins one at the Fab Lab in the Makers Quarter downtown that is open to the public on a membership basis, will offer classes and workshops to educate students and other residents on biology.

The project is a partnership between the library system, the Salk Institute and The Wet Lab, a nonprofit group that operates the lab downtown.

Laura Jordan-Smith, public outreach director for the The Web Lab, said the organization’s goal is to bring do-it-yourself biological science to San Diego and connect curious amateurs with professionals.

“Our collective goal is to provide a cost-free, safe and stimulating experience to people of all ages who are interested in gaining lab experience and exploring the world of molecular biology,” said Jordan-Smith. “We believe that science should be accessible to everyone.”

Peters said building the laboratory represents the next step for libraries in San Diego and nationwide.

“You may remember when it was revolutionary to have computers in libraries,” he said. “This is the next adaptation. It’s needed to help prepare our kids to take on the opportunities of the future.”

The public will have the opportunity to use equipment like microscopes, centrifuges and DNA amplifiers that are typically only available to universities and private researchers.

The Wet Lab is also scheduling a series of free lectures on a variety of topics related to science both in La Jolla and downtown.

A technician works with a 3D printer at the new public biotech lab at the La Jolla/Riford Library. Photo by Chris Jennewein
A technician works with a 3D printer at the new public biotech lab at the La Jolla/Riford Library. Photo by Chris Jennewein
Citizen Science Advances in San Diego with Library Bio Lab was last modified: September 2nd, 2015 by Chris Jennewein

>> Subscribe to Times of San Diego’s free daily email newsletter! Click here

Follow Us:
Facebooktwitterrss
Posted in Tech | Tagged biotech, citizen science, Kevin Faulconer, La Jolla, libraries, Scot Peters
Search Thousands of San Diego Jobs

Get Times of San Diego by Email

Our free newsletter is delivered at 8 a.m. daily.


Most Popular Today

  • San Diego County Expands COVID Vaccinations to Residents Aged 75 and Up San Diego County Expands COVID Vaccinations to Residents Aged 75 and Up 2,090 views
  • Biden Picks San Diego Unified's Cindy Marten for Federal Education Post Biden Picks San Diego Unified’s Cindy Marten for Federal Education Post 1,060 views
  • El Cajon Resident Reportedly Suffering Medical Emergency Dies After 1-8 Crash El Cajon Resident Reportedly Suffering Medical Emergency Dies After 1-8 Crash 1,010 views
  • Arson Suspected as Early-Morning Fire Destroys Room at Mission Bay Drive Hotel Arson Suspected as Early-Morning Fire Destroys Room at Mission Bay Drive Hotel 860 views
  • Allergic Reactions to Moderna COVID Vaccine at Petco Park Prompt State Action Allergic Reactions to Moderna COVID Vaccine at Petco Park Prompt State Action 700 views

©®2021 Times of San Diego LLC

Menu

  • About
  • Staff
  • Contact
  • Support
  • Advertise
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service