"Scientific Advances Push Lab Design in New Directions", (c) Thomas Harvath, AIA, Laboratory Design, 4/07

Four distinctive areas of advanced research—bioinformatics, nanotechnology, structural biology, and bioterrorism—are having significant impact on the planning and design of specialized facilities in university laboratories. This trend is evident in proposals for new construction and renovation projects submitted for consideration to major grant sources such as the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and other public and private funding agencies.

Computer modeling The evolving research discipline that helped map the human genome—bioinformatics—is helping scientists in all fields access, manipulate, analyze and visualize the vast amount of scientific research information that is available in digital form. Indeed, informatics installations serve as the nerve centers of many advanced university research laboratories. The ability to properly structure and format research activities and, most importantly, to target potential experiments toward those activities with the highest probability of success, in a world where gigabytes of potentially useful scientific data are being generated by the second, is a daunting task. It requires specialized abilities that focus equally on advanced computer science and knowledge of additional specific research disciplines.

In the case of biology, the term “bioinformatics” has been coined to describe this new cross-disciplinary science. (In the case of chemistry, we now hear references to cheminformatics, and so on.)

Whether in a remotely located structure or in a space embedded in the research building, bioinformatics facilities typically require a significant amount of space for scientists’ and technicians’ work spaces, conference rooms, “computer farms,” and media storage. Because bioinformatics specialists need to work closely with the research personnel they are assisting, the optimal placement for a bioinformatics suite is within the research building, as a core service facility.

Two key components of an efficient bioinformatics suite are work stations of 80 to 120 net ft2 per specialist, and conferencing space with excellent media capabilities. In addition, space for the computer farm that supports the suite is required. Typically, computer farms comprise relatively small spaces outfitted with racks of 50 to several hundred networked PCs and computer servers. This type of facility requires a robust telecommunications infrastructure with an uninterruptible power system (UPS) as well as a highly reliable cooling system with backup power generation to handle the extremely high heat load from the computers.

Building atom by atom Nanotechnology has aptly been described as the science of building a structure one atom at a time. First widely applied in computer science, nanotechnology also has shown great promise as the basis of novel drug-delivery systems. In one application, inert, specially configured nanoparticles are coated with molecules that attract the particles to a specific pathology site, and the drug that is to be delivered to that site can be injected into a patient’s body. This approach promises to vastly improve the drug’s efficacy in treating only the affected site, rather than being dispersed systemically.

This area of research in a science building requires a hyper-clean environment, consisting of one or more self-contained cleanroom barrier suites. The trend in academic buildings is to use semi-prefabricated structures with built-in high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration and distribution systems. These positively pressurized rooms are continually flooded with vast quantities of HEPA-filtered air, which must be introduced and exhausted at absolute minimum velocity. To promote laminar flow patterns, ceilings are typically designed as almost- continuous supply air diffusers, while raised floors serve as perforated exhaust grilles.

Access to, and egress from, these spaces is controlled carefully through air locks. In some cases, wet showers or air showers also are provided for researchers and technicians. Moreover, the facilities that support these cleanroom suites must be designed to facilitate maintenance from the exterior of the cleanrooms. It is not unusual for nanotechnology spaces in buildings to have a floor-to-floor height of 18 to 20 ft or more to allow for adequate access above the cleanrooms.

To maintain pressurization and cleanliness, all penetrations into these structures must be sealed carefully. During construction, spaces above the ceiling, inside of walls, under flooring, and so on, must be kept much cleaner than is customary with normal construction, so that embedded construction dust does not migrate out over time, compromising the clean environment.

Understanding molecular structure Structural biologists are increasing science’s understanding of biological function through studies of biological molecules and supra-molecular assemblies, as well as whole organisms. They have found that the topography of a molecule is crucially important in understanding how it attaches to or repels another molecule. Studies of molecular structure and topography are accomplished using advanced spectroscopic, crystallization, and imaging techniques, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).

Planning and design of spaces and security systems for NMR equipment must acknowledge the fact that the strong residual magnetic field surrounding these instruments typically has a horizontal and vertical radius of 10 to ~32 ft. The designer of the facility must have detailed data regarding the extent and configuration of the specific NMR instrument’s magnetic field and the distance at which the surrounding field dissipates to 5-gauss intensity. This “5-gauss line” delineates the zone around the instrument outside of which the effects of the magnetic field are generally considered inconsequential.

Not only do the effects of the powerful magnetic field within the 5-gauss line create potential hazards for investigators and other users of the science building, but also data could be corrupted if the field is disturbed by something as seemingly innocuous as an equipment cart being rolled down an adjacent corridor. It is important not to overlook the vertical fields as well. For this reason, NMR labs are frequently in rooms with slab-on-grade construction and 14- to 18-ft (or more) vertical clear height, to keep the vertical magnetic field out of other occupied space.

The facility must be designed to accommodate either mobile or remote supply of the super-cooling media, such as liquid nitrogen or liquid helium, which is crucial to the operation of these instruments. The space also requires specialized venting to prevent potential injury or even fatalities associated with an equipment malfunction known as “quenching”: a catastrophic blow-off of the super-cooling medium, which is capable of rapidly displacing the oxygen in the lab.

NMR instruments are also very heavy and bulky. Provision for their stable support and clearance all along the proposed delivery path from the loading dock to the NMR lab is an important consideration. In recent years, some manufacturers have begun to offer self-shielding magnets. While the magnetic field is contained to a smaller area, the instruments themselves are significantly more bulky than most non-self-shielding instruments.

Preparing for bioterrorism In the four years since unidentified criminals used anthrax to attack sites in Florida, New York City, and Washington, D.C.—killing several people and sickening others—national research efforts also have focused on improving the nation’s preparedness for bioterrorism.

Systematic research on pathogens in water, food, and air requires specialized facilities to house Biosafety Level 3 and Biosafety Level 4 labs. BSL-4 labs are relatively rare and exceedingly specialized, but BSL-3 labs have become common in biomedical research facilities. These lab suites are designed based on a sequential containment strategy—from an airlock at each entry point, to a locker/anteroom, to the BSL-3 lab itself, to the self-contained biosafety cabinets in which infectious materials are handled.

These facilities require a specialized HVAC system approach to maintain negative air pressure. The system is typically composed of industry-standard supply ductwork and an air-exhaust system with welded stainless-steel ductwork, HEPA filtration, and fail-safe emergency backup power. As in cleanroom facilities, biocontainment facilities should be designed to enable all maintenance services to be performed from the exterior. High-security access-control systems are integral.

To facilitate both routine and extraordinary decontamination activities, very careful attention to sealing all penetrations into the space must be maintained. A pass-through autoclave with a properly installed bioseal is critical to proper containment, as well.

In selecting architects and contractors to implement projects that include highly specialized spaces, universities must require demonstrated experience and expertise in cost-effective planning, design, and construction. The best design and construction professionals keep pace with developments in advanced research and technology, and leverage their knowledge to help universities remain safely on the cutting edge.