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.