Modernization of 3-dimensional printing capabilities at the Aquatic Germplasm and Genetic Resource Center

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT: Aquatic species have become accepted as valuable models in biomedical research, and laboratories around the world produce tens of thousands of mutant, knockout, gene-edited and transgenic lines each year. Establishment of efficient and reliable germplasm repositories is critical for preservation of genetic resources of aquatic organisms that are vital to advancing biomedical research. However, a pervasive lack of reproducibility in cryopreservation creates a significant barrier, posing a great risk of losing valuable lines developed from billions of dollars of research investment. There are two major problems: first, although protocols have been established through basic research, laboratories often produce low-quality samples because of a lack of affordable and reliable hardware for a standardized production pathway. Second, there are no effective approaches to provide quality management at a system level, including quality assurance for prevention of defects, and quality control for elimination of inferior products. Although some commercial options exist, most laboratories are not able to purchase expensive equipment when germplasm banking is not a focus or obligation. In previous R24 projects we worked with the Zebrafish International Resource Center (ZIRC) to establish strong on-site capabilities for them as a central facility. We also developed mechanical devices through 3-D printing and microfabrication to begin standardization efforts at ZIRC. We are expanding this technology initiative for widespread use across the steps required for comprehensive production and quality management pathways by development of multiple types of new scientific hardware that are practical, inexpensive, standardizable, portable, and customizable, and can be made available as user-driven public toolboxes through open hardware for thousands of laboratories. Over the past 10 years the AGGRC, a shared- use facility, has become a leader in production of open hardware for cryopreservation and repository development. To date, we have primarily restricted our work to consumer-level equipment to ensure that hardware distributed as printable computer files would be available to all users regardless of skill level. Although we are well-equipped for filament-based (e.g., plastic) 3-D printing, we have great need to substantially improve our ability to 3-D print with photocurable resins and metal. Modernized equipment is essential for a sustained powerful influence in this field. For example, we have adopted resin printing as an alternative to expensive and time-consuming microfabrication (e.g., photolithography), and require metal printing to work with resins to fabricate tools such as custom electrodes and sensors. Modernizing our capabilities will greatly streamline and improve operating processes and procedures, and it will provide much- needed access to technologically advanced equipment to support current, rapidly evolving, and emerging research programs. This will enable new and advanced approaches, offer innovative technological solutions, and benefit user communities and multiple research projects and investigators at our institution and beyond.