This story was co-written by Nathan Herbst and Monet Lindstrand.

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As the field of biology advances, so too does the technology associated with it. For students in particular, this new technology will allow them to learn in labs built for the future. For many educational institutions, the price tags of new technology can hinder their adoption, making donations important for updating infrastructure. The Ball State University Biotechnology Certificate program recently received a generous gift of this nature from a former student, Nick Yonts. Yonts is a Global Strategic Account Manager for OpenTrons, a laboratory robotics company. Yonts completed his undergraduate and graduate work at Ball State in 2014, including the Biotechnology Certificate program. 

During his time at the university, he worked as the first teaching and lab assistant of Dr. Eric (VJ) Rubenstein and developed the skills needed to launch an incredibly successful career in biotech sales. He, and OpenTrons, donated an OT-2 automated liquid handler robot, one that many leading biotech and academic research environments use in their labs. Dr. Rubenstein and Dr. Douglas Bernstein of the Ball State Department of Biology said that the OT-2 will be an important asset for student research. 

Using the Biotechnology Robot

Several research projects involving the new equipment are being considered, including large-scale studies of gene functions and protein interactions that could enhance our understanding of human health and disease, alongside an introductory course on how to operate the OT-2 and use it to the full extent of its capabilities. Taught by Dr. Bernstein, this course will allow students to develop standard operating procedures, learn basic fundamental techniques, and create informational written materials for others to use in the future. This is a new avenue for the biotechnology certificate program, so there is a great deal to learn how to maximize the capabilities of the OT-2. 

With the new research possibilities that the robot will offer, the department expects to draw potential students in as they decide on a university program to pursue. One of the primary strengths of the department is its faculty’s ability to blend and combine research and teaching. As such, Dr. Rubenstein and Dr. Bernstein believe that the OT-2 will be integrated into classrooms and labs in a way that ensures students get hands-on, practical biotechnical experience that will prepare them for careers as young scientists.

To support the Biotechnology Certificate program, the OT-2 liquid-handling robot will be used in a variety of ways by students and professors in the lab. Dr. Rubenstein and Dr. Bernstein shared that, as the name suggests, the robot’s primary function is to move small amounts of liquid from one place to another. It can additionally be used for a wide range of biochemical and biological procedures to better understand molecular and cellular processes. This includes everything from growing microorganisms to performing molecular assays, like ELISA and PCR tests. The primary benefit of the OT-2 is that it can pipette precisely and repetitively at a much quicker rate than any individual could do by hand. 

To Dr. Rubenstein and Dr. Bernstein, there are two principal ways in which the robot will be of service to students in the lab. First, the OT-2 will accelerate research in situations where there is a great deal of highly precise and repetitive testing needed to be done. Second, the OT-2 and related systems are often used within the industry. As such, students getting experience working with this type of automation is an incredible benefit for them going forward, as they can apply this skill set when they enter a position either in a larger academic lab at a major research university or at a company like Eli Lilly. 

Biotechnology Certificate Professors

Within their roles in the Department of Biology, both Dr. Rubenstein and Dr. Bernstein work directly with undergraduate and graduate students. Dr. Rubenstein is a Professor of Biology who teaches primarily cell biology and seminar courses, and Dr. Bernstein is an Associate Professor of Biology who teaches courses in microbiology and some upper-level molecular biology, as well as courses in the biotech program. The two co-direct the Biotechnology Certificate program together, and mentor masters and undergraduate students in research labs. 

The Ball State Biotechnology Difference

The Biotechnology Certificate program is a series of classes and research opportunities that provide students with academic and practical experience to help them develop as independent practicing scientists. It is offered to both undergraduate and graduate students, and prepares them to work in the life sciences and biotechnology fields in both industry and academia. Graduates of this certificate program enter the workforce with a tangible skillset that has made them more marketable, employable, and effective than graduates without this training.  

Ball State connects graduates to successful biotechnology companies in various industries, including pharmaceutical drug development and bioengineering. These students use the experience they gain in the biotechnology certificate to apply the skills they learned in the classroom to real world opportunities. 

Real World Learning Experience

The biotechnology certificate includes a year-long cooperative learning experience for recent graduates of the program to work at a biotechnology company in an immersive scientific research environment to gain valuable experience in the field.  

“What I love about Ball State and the biotechnology certificate is the way that we’re able to launch careers. These are promising students… It’s gratifying to help move students into such exciting opportunities… It’s remarkable how successful this partnership is in cementing the success of these students,” Rubenstein said.

According to Rubenstein, this year-long program benefits graduates more than a summer internship because it gives them longer job experience and allows them to fit into the company better. 

“Within a few months, they’re productive researchers and now have the rest of that year to become integrated into the community to produce results that contribute to the research that’s going on there,” Rubenstein said. 

Ready for Careers or an Advanced Education

The partnership also allows Ball State to get feedback from an experienced biotechnology company on its teaching techniques. Faculty meet to hear how students are doing and learn how to better train and prepare students for the workforce. Recent graduates have found employment at companies such as Eli Lilly, Corteva, LabCorp, Elanco, Genezen, the Center for Reproductive Biology of Indiana, Covance, and Abbvie.  

Many others continue their education and enroll in prestigious graduate schools, including St. Jude’s Graduate School of Biomedical Science, Indiana University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Minnesota, Purdue, Western Michigan University, and DePaul. 

Regardless of the students’ career and graduate decisions, they can rest assured knowing they are set up for success with Ball State University’s high-placing partnerships with experienced biotechnology companies. 

“It ends up being truly life-changing for the students,” Rubenstein said. 

Find out more about the biotechnology certificate. For more information about the Department of Biology, visit our website, contact our office or follow us on Facebook.