Collaborative ScienceTeam:

Veena Shetty, Sanjeev, Sitwat Zehra, De-Ming Chau, Abid Azhar

Facilitators :Anwar Nasim, Clarissa Dirk, Lida Anestidou

Goal

To educate the researchers regardingcollaborative science

ObjectivesAt the end of the session the participants shouldbe able to: 1) Define the types and benefits of collaborative

science.2) Identify challenges, risks and solutions in

collaborative science.3) Synthesize ethical and legal guidelines in

collaborative science.

Definition of Collaborative Science

Collaborative science is defined as researchers working together to achieve the common goal of producing new scientific knowledge

Case StudyBill is a virologist from Stanford University. He constructed a plasmid to study gene expression regulation. However, after one year of experiment, he found that the plasmid is not useful in his study.

Bill discussed the existence of this plasmid with his friend, Harry, who is a plant biotechnologist at the National University of Singapore. Harry thinks that the plasmid can be used in his research and he asked Bill for access to the plasmid.

Bill is receptive to this and sends the plasmid to Harry. Harry’s lab proceeded to use this plasmid and created a new strain of high-yielding mango trees.

Harry is writing the manuscript and he discusses with his lab members whether Bill should be included in the author list.

Case StudyBill is a virologist from Stanford University. He constructed a plasmid to study gene expression regulation. However, after one year of experiment, he found that the plasmid is not useful in his study.

Bill discussed the existence of this plasmid with his friend, Harry, who is a plant biotechnologist at the National University of Singapore. Harry thinks that the plasmid can be used in his research and he asked Bill for access to the plasmid.

Bill is receptive to this and sends the plasmid to Harry. Harry’s lab proceeded to use this plasmid and created a new strain of high-yielding mango trees.

Harry is writing the manuscript and he discusses with his lab members whether Bill should be included in the author list.

Question: What kind of collaboration is this?

Types of Collaborative ScienceIntra Inter

Individual Between individuals

GroupBetween individuals in the

same research groupBetween groups (e.g., in

the same department)

DepartmentBetween individuals or groups

in the same departmentBetween departments (in

the same institution)

Institution

Between individuals or departments in the same institution Between institutions

Sector/IndustryBetween institutions in the

same sector/industryBetween institutions in

different sectors/industry

NationBetween institutions in the

same countryBetween institutions in

different country

Ref: J. Sylvan Katz, Ben R. Martin; What is research collaboration? ; Research Policy 26 (1997) 1-18

Case StudyBill is a virologist from Stanford University. He constructed a plasmid to study gene expression regulation. However, after one year of experiment, he found that the plasmid is not useful in his study.

Bill discussed the existence of this plasmid with his friend, Harry, who is a plant biotechnologist at the National University of Singapore. Harry thinks that the plasmid can be used in his research and he asked Bill for access to the plasmid.

Bill is receptive to this and sends the plasmid to Harry. Harry’s lab proceeded to use this plasmid and created a new strain of high-yielding mango trees.

Harry is writing the manuscript and he discusses with his lab members whether Bill should be included in the author list.

Question: What are the benefits of this collaboration?

Benefits of this Collaboration

•Open up new avenues of research•Opportunities for grant application•Publications•Graduate students/post-docs•Commercialization/Intellectual properties•Promotion/tenure/incentives•New collaborations•Social impact

Story continues…

Harry is writing a manuscript and he asked his group members whether to include his friend, Bill, as an author.

Role play: 1) Bill2) Harry3) Journal editor

There are many other challenges/risks associated with collaborative research.

Question: What are the challenges/risks

Group 1: Allocation of funding/human resourcesGroup 2: Communication breakdown/personal conflictGroup 3: Authorship

Other Possible Challenges/Risks

• Styles/personalities of investigators- communication, writing, follow deadlines• Scope of research- Insufficient knowledge in each other’s field leads to

deficiencies in accountability• Academia-industry collaboration- Intellectual property, conflict of interest• Different standards/regulations/policies/practices• Insufficient knowledge diversity at funding agencies

Story continues…

Harry’s group decided to acknowledge Bill’s contribution instead of including him as an author.

Bill, however, strongly feels that he should be an author.

Discussion: How can this situation be avoided and how can this be resolved?

Some of the Ways to Avoid/Resolve the Conflicts

• MOU • Copyright.• Letter of granting permission (Unpublished

information)• Patents • Authorship. (contribution)

Ref: Text book ;Scientific integrity by Francis L.Macrina,3rd edition

Group Concept Map

• Look at the concept map we have started and add one consideration about ethical/legal issues regarding collaborative science

Major Areas to be Targeted for Legal and Ethical Guidelines in Collaborative Research

• Informed consent issues• Clinical evaluation of drug/ devices/ diagnostics/

vaccines/ herbal remedies (involving humans/animals)

• Epidemiological research (interventions)• Human genetic research• Transplantation research

including fetal tissue transplantation& stem cell research

• Assisted reproductive technologies

Some of the Codes of Ethics, Guidelines & Regulations in Place

• 1947 : Nuremberg Code• 1956 : Code of Medical Ethics, MCI• 1964 : Helsinki Declaration• 1979 : Belmont Report (USA)• 1980: Policy Statement on Ethical Considerations

Involved in Research on Human Subjects• 1982/1992 : Proposed International Guidelines

(WHO/CIOMS)• 1986 : EPA Act for r-DNA Products• 1997 : Guidelines for Exchange of Human Biological

Material for Biomedical Research Purposes

Ref: Text book ;Scientific integrity by Francis L.Macrina,3rd edition

For Assessment

• Case study and analysis

A Case Study

• Human Genome Project• Example of interdisciplinary research as

investigators from different backgrounds join forces to link nucleotide sequence with disease

Human Genome Project

• The discovery of a class of colon cancer gene provides a cogent example of collaboration

• Collaborative work between microbial geneticists and biochemists resulted in an explosion of molecular basis for common form of cancer.http://www.genome.gov/12011238

Related to human genome projectdo the following:

1) Define the types and benefits of collaborative science.

2) Identify challenges, risks and solutions in collaborative science

3) Synthesize ethical and legal guidelines in collaborative science

We should always be looking for leaders who can foster interdisciplinary connections & thus advance the scientific enterprise

- Rita Colwell, NSF

RecapGoal:To educate the researchers regardingcollaborative science

Objectives:At the end of the session the participants should be able to 1) Define the types and benefits of collaborative

science.2) Identify challenges, risks and solutions in

collaborative science.3) Synthesize ethical and legal guidelines in

collaborative science.