Training and Dissemination

Project Summary/Abstract:
The goals of CM2OST are to draw on our collective expertise to develop, demonstrate and deploy novel
technologies that enable a Quality-by-Design approach to the manufacturing of structural tissues. These efforts
are predicated on the dissemination and commercialization of our products, especially those that facilitate the
scalable manufacture of therapeutic products. Recognition that success in creating an industry will exacerbate
the existing labor shortage in the manufacturing segment is reflected in the dual foci of the education/workforce
development (E/WD) roadmap, which leads to projects that both engage the next generation of the field and
enriches the workforce in manufacturing and adjacent fields. As such, roadmap responsive projects must
demonstrate that the solutions have broad commercial uses. All staff will take part in the training and
dissemination mission of the Center as part of their effort. The core aims of the Center’s Training and
Dissemination component will be:
Specific Aim 1: Specific Aim 1: Promote the dissemination and understanding of the Center’s
technologies throughout the existing TE community, adjacent scientific and industry fields, as well as
the more general society. CM2OST will sponsor at least one prominent event annually to highlight its activities.
CM2OST T&D also will leverage existing avenues such as publications, invited presentations, short courses and
sponsored conferences, as well as create novel avenues of dissemination such as V/R or hybrid cloud-based
educational instruction. The Center will leverage BioFab’s nationwide membership (>165 strong) to reach a wide
audience including the next generation of TE scientists.
Specific Aim 2: Hardware/software dissemination through commercialization. The two key factors for
moving forward with a manufacturing hardware/software development project to commercialization will be: 1) if
it addresses an identified a manufacturing bottleneck; and 2) if it is generalizable beyond the prototype test bed
used to validate its design and function. CM2OST projects that meet both criteria are more likely to successfully
translate into commercially viable products and will be emphasized by CM2OST dissemination activities.
Specific Aim 3: Train researchers and manufacturers in the use of our technologies such that they can
correctly apply them to their own research or commercial product development. E/WD efforts to increase
the diversity, skill and size of the workforce are essential to success of the field. CM2OST training will create a
“cadre of early adopters” for our new technologies. This cadre will demonstrate the benefit of CM2OST-developed
technology by using it in their research and product development. We will leverage both proven educational
methodologies such as one-to-one training sessions, and short courses followed by training sessions, as well as
newer methodologies of training such as remote video-assisted training.

Grant Number: 5P41EB021911-09
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: HARIHARA BASKARAN