The BioPACIFIC MIP (Materials Innovation Platform) is a specialised research facility that provides free access to state-of-the-art instrumentation and scientific support for approved research projects. While not a consumer-facing free sample programme, it operates as an open-access facility enabling researchers to advance their work in bioderived materials. The programme is designed to integrate users from various backgrounds, from novices to experts, into a collaborative mission of discovery. Access is granted through a proposal submission process, and approved projects receive a comprehensive suite of resources, including free instrument use, technical support, and standard laboratory supplies. This model facilitates research by removing some financial and logistical barriers, particularly for researchers from non-R1 institutions who may receive limited travel assistance.
Understanding the BioPACIFIC MIP User Programme
The BioPACIFIC MIP User Programme is structured to leverage the strong tradition of creating, operating, and maintaining open-access facilities at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Its primary aim is to enable transformative research in the field of bioderived materials. The programme is not a promotional offer or a consumer freebie; rather, it is a scientific user facility designed to support the research community. Researchers interested in accessing these resources must submit a BioPACIFIC MIP User Proposal to initiate a research project or a sample, service, or data request. The facility emphasises not only the provision of technical resources but also the integration of users into a mission of discovery, highlighting intellectual capital, technique know-how, and a collaborative spirit.
The programme is envisioned as more than a suite of technical resources. It actively seeks to connect internal, external, expert, and novice users to the tools and researchers of the MIP. Communication and contextualisation of how BioPACIFIC MIP resources enable results are encouraged to help prospective users understand the potential impact on their research. This approach fosters a community of practice where knowledge sharing and growth are promoted. For researchers working on approved projects or in-house research, there are specific guidelines on how to acknowledge the facility's contributions in publications and presentations.
Eligibility and Application Process
Eligibility for the BioPACIFIC MIP User Programme is determined through a proposal submission system. Researchers from any institution can submit a proposal, but the programme offers specific support for those from non-R1 institutions. An R1 institution, in the US context, is a research university with the highest level of research activity. The availability of limited travel assistance for researchers from non-R1 institutions indicates a focus on broadening access and supporting researchers who may face greater financial constraints in accessing advanced facilities.
The application process involves submitting a BioPACIFIC MIP User Proposal. The source material does not provide the exact steps for submission, but it indicates that guidelines and submission links are available. The proposal likely requires details about the research project, the requested resources, and the potential scientific impact. Letters of support can be provided by BioPACIFIC MIP for funding proposals that depend on access to their facilities, using NSF-approved language. This suggests that the programme is integrated with broader funding ecosystems and can help researchers secure external grants.
Resources and Support Included in Approved Projects
Once a user proposal is approved, researchers gain access to a range of resources and support services. These are designed to cover the core needs of experimental research, thereby reducing the financial and logistical burden on the user. The key inclusions are:
- Access to BPM Instruments: Approved users receive free access to all BioPACIFIC MIP instrumentation. This includes state-of-the-art tools essential for research in bioderived materials, allowing users to leverage advanced equipment they might not have at their home institutions.
- Support from BPM Project Scientists: Users benefit from the expertise of BioPACIFIC MIP project scientists. This support includes guidance on experimental design, data analysis, and best practices, ensuring that users can effectively utilise the facility's tools and interpret their results accurately.
- Standard Laboratory Supplies: General consumables necessary for experiments are provided at no cost. This provision helps ensure a smooth workflow without adding an extra financial burden to the research project, covering items that are commonly used across many types of experiments.
- Training and Research Support: Hands-on instrument training and technical assistance are available. This is crucial for helping users, especially those new to specific techniques, to operate the equipment correctly and safely, thereby maximising the quality and reproducibility of their data.
- Travel Assistance for Non-R1 Institutions: As mentioned, limited funding is available to help offset travel expenses for researchers coming from non-R1 institutions. This makes it physically and financially easier for a wider range of researchers to access the BioPACIFIC MIP resources in person.
Costs and Responsibilities for Users
While the core resources are provided free of charge to approved users, there are specific costs and responsibilities that the user or their institution must cover. It is important for prospective users to understand these to accurately plan their research budgets.
- Project-Specific Materials: Users are responsible for covering the cost of any unique materials required for their research that go beyond the standard lab supplies. If a project requires specific, non-standard reagents or materials, these costs are not covered by the programme.
- Materials Purchase and Shipping: Materials may be shipped to BioPACIFIC MIP or purchased by BioPACIFIC MIP on behalf of the user. In such cases, the cost is billed to the user at cost plus overhead. The overhead is likely an administrative fee added to the direct cost of the materials.
- External Contractor Services: Fees associated with outsourced services, such as DNA synthesis, external sample characterization, or fabrication, are not included in the free access package. These services must be covered by the user if they are required for the project.
- Travel and Accommodation Expenses: Users are generally responsible for funding their own transportation and lodging. BioPACIFIC MIP can provide advice on local accommodations to assist with planning. The limited travel assistance funding is specifically targeted at researchers from non-R1 institutions to help offset these expenses.
Additional Facility Access and Costs
BioPACIFIC MIP facilitates access to other shared facilities at UCSB or UCLA. However, the use of these external shared facilities may incur additional costs. While BioPACIFIC MIP will help users gain access, the financial responsibility for these additional facility fees lies with the user. This is an important consideration for projects that require techniques or equipment not available within the BioPACIFIC MIP's own instrument suite.
Acknowledgement and Knowledge Sharing
To promote the mission of knowledge sharing and growth, researchers working on approved user projects or in-house research at BioPACIFIC MIP are encouraged to acknowledge the facility's contributions. Specific guidelines are provided for this:
- In Publications: Researchers should mention BioPACIFIC MIP within the main body of publications, typically in the methods section where facilities or procedures are described. An example provided is: “SAXS measurements were performed at the BioPACIFIC MIP user facilities at UC Santa Barbara.”
- In Conference Presentations and Posters: The BioPACIFIC MIP logo and relevant instrumentation should be included when describing experimental methodologies. The source material mentions a video in the inset as an example, though the specific content of that video is not detailed in the provided text.
These acknowledgements help contextualise the research and demonstrate how BioPACIFIC MIP resources enable scientific results, which in turn helps prospective users understand the programme's value.
Conclusion
The BioPACIFIC MIP User Programme is a structured, open-access facility that provides significant resources to researchers in the field of bioderived materials. It offers free access to advanced instrumentation, scientific support, and standard supplies to approved projects. The programme is particularly notable for its support for researchers from non-R1 institutions through limited travel assistance, aiming to broaden participation in high-level research. Access is granted via a proposal submission, and while core resources are free, users are responsible for specific costs such as project-specific materials, external services, and travel. The facility also fosters a collaborative environment by encouraging acknowledgement of its resources in research outputs, thereby promoting knowledge sharing within the scientific community.