Dartmouth College - Biological and Chemical Engineering Fit-out

Interdisciplinary Collaboration to Advance Biotech Research

During design development of the Class of 1982 Engineering and Computer Science Center (ECSC), a need for biotech research space emerged. Biotech focused research groups within the Biological and Chemical Engineering programs now co-locate on 20,000 SF of wet laboratory space on the top two floors of the interdisciplinary research and teaching facility.

Leveraging Dartmouth’s strengths in computational biology, several biotech industry partnerships are engaged with researchers and faculty to develop large molecule therapies and energy technologies, that include:

• Protein engineering, including research in therapeutic antibody and vaccine design.
• Bioenergy technologies research including biofuels and metabolic engineering.

Capabilities of the facility include a Biosafety Level 2+ suite for viral vector work, advanced microscopy suite, bioreactor lab, flow cytometry suite, as well as extensive tissue culture, environmental rooms, and other lab support.

The design of the building encourages cross-discipline interaction and collaboration to promote the synergies between fields that spark discovery and solutions to global challenges. Open floorplans and modular features within the laboratory spaces create an interior experience of openness and transparency. Glass walls makes the research visible to fellow researchers, students, and visitors.