Penn State, known for innovations in interdisciplinary research, and QIAGEN LLC, a leader in sample-to-insight solutions, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to foster advancements in microbiome sciences. The alliance establishes a multi-layered partnership spanning research, education and outreach.
Penn State is home to the One Health Microbiome Center (OHMC) in the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences. This center is hub for both research and education, focused on the communities of diverse microbes that form the base of the biosphere and are essential to address human and ecosystem health challenges in the coming decades.
QIAGEN is a global molecular research and diagnostics company serving more than 500,000 customers across more than 60 countries. Their products enable scientists and clinicians to unlock molecular insights encoded in the building blocks of life. The comprehensive microbiome product portfolio includes tools for every aspect of the scientific workflow, including reliable sample preparation kits optimized for investigating challenging samples from environmental and human microbiomes.
"Penn State's commitment to open-minded inquiry and innovation is perfectly complemented by QIAGEN's forward-thinking in the life sciences sector. We are grateful for QIAGEN's contributions, as this partnership is a bridge that will bring our mutual microbiome expertise into new realms," said Andrew Read, interim senior vice president for research at Penn State.
The collaboration will enable OHMC to create a research and training environment supported by in-kind contributions from QIAGEN, including instruments and reagents. This will boost workflow capabilities for profiling microbiomes and providing firsthand biotechnology skills training for students and postdoctoral researchers. Moreover, Penn State labs may be selected by QIAGEN to participate in testing and assessment of new QIAGEN products, which may lead to optimization of tools and assays for microbiome sciences applications. The center's vast diversity of microbial research systems will support assessments for a range of sample types.
"This partnership enhances our research support capabilities and opens up new avenues for student training and workforce development vital in today's fast-evolving scientific landscape," said Troy Ott, acting director of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences.
The agreement also includes opportunities for graduate students to pursue international internship experiences in the microbiome technologies research and development laboratory at QIAGEN. This opportunity to contribute to real-world product development provides students with the chance to prepare for diverse career paths in the microbiome-biotechnology realm.
"By bridging the gap between academia and industry in a multi-year partnership, we are well-positioned to shape the future of a university-industry alliance in the microbiome sciences and to equip our students, research and educational endeavors with the formative capacities to lead the way in microbiome solutions for human health, agricultural output and environmental sustainability," said Seth Bordenstein, director of the One Health Microbiome Center and Huck Endowed Chair in the Microbiome Sciences.
Nitin Sood, senior vice president and head of the Life Sciences Business Area at QIAGEN, spoke to the potential of the collaboration.
"This new partnership with Penn State, one of the leading academic research institutions in the field of microbiome research, is anchored by a shared vision for an interconnection between the health of humans, animals and ecosystems," Sood said. "It will help shape research, education and outreach in the young field of the microbiome sciences, and hopefully, accelerate the careers of a new generation of scientists interested in this field. Additionally, it will foster relationships with the microbiome research community and enable us to better develop new products for microbiome research based on direct customer feedback."
The Eberly College of Science and the Corporate Engagement Center played key roles in the three-year MOU, and the various agreements that accompanied it, and will conduct periodic reviews to identify growth opportunities that strengthen mutual institutional goals.
"I have been amazed and humbled by QIAGEN's generosity and dedication to advancing scientific exploration and educational excellence," said Ashley Chan, director of corporate engagement at the Corporate Engagement Center. "It is a privilege to work with the numerous individuals at QIAGEN who championed this fantastic initiative."
