JHU Collaborates with ATCC on Series of Luncheon Seminars Regarding Good Laboratory Practices

Any cell biologist will tell you that good laboratory practice starts with the knowledge that anyone or anything that is brought into the lab can be a source for bacterial contamination. In most cases, the offending source is the casual close proximity between a contaminated source and one that is not. One particular nuisance, Mycoplasma, is so ubiquitous and diverse in its strains and species, that it presents a formidable challenge to pinpoint the source of initial contamination. It survives in most environments and on most surfaces, including human hair!

To further complicate matters, there are growing data to show that these bugs can wreak havoc in cell cultures by altering phenotype, metabolic responses or activation pathways, to name just a few. This problem can be costly to rectify. Clean-up of contaminated materials often takes several trials before complete eradication can be verified.

The best plan of action promotes prevention. To get more information about what you can do to become more aware of this potential variable in your research and learn how to manage it, please attend the upcoming series sponsored by The Genetic Resource Core Facility & Cell Center, Licensing and Technology Development, and the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC®).

The first in a series of luncheon Seminars will address and discuss how contamination and its prevention can be managed. Please mark your calendars to attend this important event: Mycoplasma Detection in Cell Culture on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 at 11:00 AM in Blalock 1024. Pizza and beverages will be served following the presentation and during the question and answer session from 12:00 - 1:00 PM.

Contact Andrea DeSanti at adesant1@jhmi.edu or call (410) 516-4408 for more information and to sign-up as registration is free but required.

Technology Transfer Internship Program: From Bench to Business

LTD's Technology Transfer Internship Program exemplifies Johns Hopkins University's commitment to education and technology transfer. LTD is pleased to announce that this Internship Program has successfully completed its first year, and expects to recruit for a new intern position in the near future.

Technology transfer provides a unique opportunity to apply hard-won scientific skills in the business and legal arenas. A goal of LTD's Internship Program is to provide researchers with exposure to alternative career choices (such as patent law and business development) and/or preparation for entry level positions in technology licensing.

Modeled similarly to a postdoctoral fellowship, participation in the Program has a finite appointment of two years. During this time, an Intern will assist with and perform duties relating to all aspects of university technology transfer.

To ensure a well-rounded education, the first year of the Program is built upon a series of rotations through LTD's functional areas:

• Patents
• Technology Marketing
• Confidentiality Agreements
• Accounting/Finance
• Material Transfer Agreements
• Compliance
• Administration
• Technology Evaluation & Licensing.

The Intern's on-the-job training and tenure in each rotation is designed to not only add value to LTD operations but also provide valuable office experience to the Intern.

Thus far, each Intern has passed the U.S. Patent Bar, an accomplishment that provides a highly marketable credential. Additionally, in March 2004, the Association of University Technology Managers awarded the Howard Bremer Scholarship to an LTD Intern , distinguishing both the Intern and the Internship Program.

If you are interested in receiving more information on LTD's Technology Transfer Internship Program, please contact:

Heather Bakalyar, Ph.D.
Associate Director
Licensing & Technology Development
hbakal@jhmi.edu

Visit LTD's website at www.ltd.jhu.edu

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