Industry demystified as adults become kids in lab

Mar. 21, 2007
By JOSEPH M. DELEON News-Post Staff
jdeleon@fredericknewspost.com

FREDERICK — Christen Osburn works in the biotechnology industry, but she's not a scientist.
      Osburn was one of more than 30 students at Biotech for Beginners, a daylong workshop Tuesday at Frederick Community College for people interested in a non-technical introduction to the industry.
      She manages clinical research projects for research contractor SAIC-Frederick Inc., which does research on AIDS and cancer; provides scientific, technical, management and logistical support to the National Cancer Institute at Frederick, and runs drug screening programs.
     Osburn wanted to better understand the jargon and procedures some of her coworkers and clients use in their jobs.
     “So far I've really enjoyed the class, but I was hoping for more terminology,” she said. “So far it's been more about the bioprocess- ing program, so I'm holding out for the panel discussion.”
     The class included a lecture on biotech business models, an introduction to the bioprocessing technology program at FCC, a handson laboratory exercise and a panel discussion.
     Kathy Burke is an employment specialist at SAIC. “Being in the lab, the hands-on part was the best, combined with the literature we received,” she said.
     Professional adults turned into giggling kids as they poured, and, in a few instances, spilled solutions from micro-pipets that measure liquids in microliters. Edith Hillard, an FCC's science lab technician, poured on guidance.
     Spilling a drop of solution can throw the measurement off and make a big difference in the lab, she said.
     Frederick County is home to more than 60 biotech companies and there are more than 300 bioscience companies and federal institutions in the state. Biotech for Beginners allowed non-scien tists in bioprocessing — executives, managers and support staff — to learn about the industry, its role in the community and how biotech influences lives.
     The hands-on demonstration and mock-lab investigations were fun, participants said, even though they had to swish a saline solution around in their mouths, with dish detergent, human spit and alcohol, to generate strands of human DNA.
     “I'm having a wonderful time but it makes me realize I chose the right field — a recruiter, not a scientist,” said Laura Weddle, an SAIC employment specialist, as she measured and mixed solutions.
     Gina Whetters, a documentation specialist at Human Genome Sciences in Rockville, doesn't expect to use laboratory protocol in her work but said the experience was worthwhile.
     “It's always a good idea to learn about the lab process, the scientific process.”
     Tucker McNulty, business development specialist with the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, wanted to familiarize himself with biotech terminology, “so when I go in and talk to these companies, I know what I'm talking about or what they're talking about, somewhat.”
     A Biotechnology Primer for Non-Scientists, issued by DBED, was a popular resource for the participants.
     The biotech industry is relatively new, Hillard said. “The more information we can get out, the better. We'll have to get more and more into biotechnology food production because we're running out of room. We're getting crowded and we need to be able to grow more food on smaller parcels of land.”
     Suzanne Beal, FCC's interim vice president for learning, said the school's goal is to support the biotech industry. The college offers a variety of career pro grams to do that — from certificates or letters of recognition to Associate of Science degrees.
     “We do know that biotechnology is an exploding field in Frederick County,” she said.