ᰮԹ the Portland Laboratory for Biotechnology and Health Sciences
The Portland Laboratory for Biotechnology and Health Sciences (PLBHS) fosters strategic industry research partnerships, driving workforce development in one of Maine’s fastest-growing sectors. The lab enhances UNE’s expertise in biotechnology and health sciences, fosters key industry collaborations, and supports workforce growth, positioning the University at the forefront of Maine’s expanding bioscience and biotechnology ecosystem.
Our advanced research facility plays a pivotal role in therapeutic discovery, biosensor development for biomanufacturing, translational pharmacology, biomarker identification, and drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics. Alongside its world-class infrastructure, the laboratory prioritizes workforce development, offering students hands-on experience and pathways to careers in biotechnology and health sciences.
Student Opportunities in the PLBHS
As a UNE student, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with expert research faculty and benefit from close mentorship while participating in cutting-edge research and hands-on training at the Portland Laboratory for Biotechnology and Health Sciences. A wide range of opportunities are available for both undergraduate and graduate students to gain real-world experience and build career-ready skills.
Our lab develops innovative biotechnology products that advance both basic and applied science. As a student researcher, you might contribute to projects in biomanufacturing (e.g., protein production, tissue engineering, 3D printing), biosensor development, drug discovery, biomarker development, cell signaling, genetics, and more, gaining practical experience at the forefront of the field.
If you are interested in student opportunities with the PLBHS, please contact Deborah J. Barlow.
Sponsor a UNE Student
The Portland Laboratory for Biotechnology and Health Sciences is always looking to collaborate with forward-thinking companies that share our passion for innovation and hands-on learning. One of the most impactful ways to engage with our lab is by sponsoring a student. Whether you’re interested in co-developing solutions, exploring internship opportunities, or contributing to specific areas of research, we’d love to hear from you.
If you represent a company that is interested in becoming involved with our work in the PLBHS, please contact Scott T. Wood
A Team of Innovators
At the Portland Laboratory for Biotechnology and Health Sciences, we are a dynamic team of innovators. Our lab comprises ten faculty members across three colleges at UNE, including five patent holders and three entrepreneurs. Their projects, funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Maine Technology Institute, Maine Cancer Foundation, MaineHealth Innovation, and the Sandy Christman Foundation, are actively advancing breakthroughs in biotechnology and the health sciences.
Meet the UNE PLBHS Team
Professional Staff
Meet the PLBHS Business Collaborators
CellField Technologies, Inc.
, in Scarborough, Maine, is a research organization with a primary focus on using its Microphysiological Articular Joint In a Chip (MAJIC) system in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. MAJOC distinguishes itself by regulating physiological cell phenotypes through nuanced biophysical and biochemical cues, a departure from traditional models reliant on exogenous growth factors. The capability for real-time observations using live-cell microscopy introduces captivating possibilities for understanding the dynamics of joint health.
Satya Diagnostics, Inc.
Satya Diagnostics Inc. is a modern medical laboratory located in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, dedicated to providing accurate and timely diagnostic services. With a focus on patient care and advanced technology, the lab offers a range of testing options to support healthcare providers and improve patient outcomes. Its friendly staff and commitment to quality make it a trusted resource for the community.
SilcsBio, LLC
provides consultation and training, paired with guided deployment of the SILCS platform technology, to enable drug discovery teams to work faster and more productively.
Explore Our Lab
The Portland Laboratory for Biotechnology and Health Sciences encompasses an approximately 8,000-square-foot research space on the third floor and basement level of the UNE Pharmacy building. The laboratory is equipped with instrumentation to support and enable research conducted by UNE faculty and students from across the University, as well as external partner institutions.
Workspaces
Located on the 3rd floor of the UNE Pharmacy building
- 3,200-square-foot, open laboratory space with 22 benches and 700 additional square feet of procedure rooms and equipment/storage alcoves
- 300 square feet of BSL-2 cell culture facility outfitted with three Class II biological safety cabinets
- Five chemical fume hoods
- 100-square-foot cold room
Located on the lower level of the UNE Pharmacy building
- 750-square-foot Class 100,000 (ISO 8) clean room
- 200-square-foot multi-purpose procedure room
- 300-square-foot secure vault
Key Instrumentation
General
- Five chemical fume hoods
- Small, medium, and large autoclaves
- Milli-Q water purification system
- Ice maker
- Four -80°C Freezers
- Seven -20°C freezers
- Four refrigerators/freezers
- Low-, moderate-, and high-speed refrigerated and non-refrigerated centrifuges
- Beckman Coulter Optima XPN-90 Ultracentrifuge
- Spectromax plate reader
- Fluoroskan Ascent fluorometer
- Perkin Elmer LS50B luminescence spectrometer
- Bio-Rad iMark microplate reader
Bioanalytical
- High-sensitivity LC-MS/MS
- (Agilent 6460 equipped with
- 1200 series HPLC)
Biomanufacturing
- B9 Core 5 Series Med XL - 385 3D Printer
- B9Clean XL for the B9 Core Series XL
- B9Creations™ Model Cure XL
- Fluidnatek LE-50 G2 Electrospinner with Drying/Heating Unit (DHU)
- Harrick Plasma PDC-001 Plasma Cleaner
- Labconco FreeZone 2.5L -50C lyophilizer
- OmniCure S2000 UV Curing System
- Bath and probe ultrasonicators
Biophysical Characterization
- Malvern Zetasizer Ultra nanoparticle, colloid, and biomolecular particle sizing and particle charge measurement dynamic light scattering (DLS) system
- Affinity Isothermal Titration Calorimeter (ITC)
Cell/Molecular Biology
- Three Class II Biosafety Cabinets
- Six CO[sub]2[/sub] Incubators
- ThermoFisher Countess 3 FL Cell Counter
- Lonza 4D-Nucleofector™ (Core Unit, X Unit)
- Inverted phase contrast microscopes
- Olympus BX51 upright fluorescent microscope
- EVOS M5000 automated inverted fluorescent microscope
- Millipore guava easyCyte 8HT flow cytometer
- Four Thermocyclers
- Bio-Rad CFX96 Touch Real-Time PCR System
- Two 300V power supplies
- Bio-Rad Chemidoc MP and ProteinSimple FluorChem M fluorescent and chemiluminescent gel and membrane imaging systems
- Two UV-Vis spectrophotometers
- Protein Discovery Gel Free 8100 Fractionation System
- BioSpherix C-Chamber Hypoxic Incubator Subchamber
- Innofluid HPM100 Low-Flow Rate Peristaltic Pump for Incubator
- Dry Bead Bath Warmer
- Covaris focused ultrasonicator
- Liquid nitrogen storage and dispensing system
Mission, Vision, and Values
Mission Statement
Our mission is to advance biotechnology and health sciences through innovative research, education, and workforce development. We drive discovery, create solutions, and train the next generation of leaders to ensure biotechnology improves lives, strengthens Maine’s economy, and delivers tangible benefits to society.
Vision Statement
Our vision is to be a national leader in biotechnology and health sciences by pioneering discoveries, fueling industry progress, training a skilled workforce, and driving innovations that create lasting impact.
Values
Our values reflect the leadership embodied in Maine’s state motto, Dirigo: Latin for “I lead.” They shape our approach to research at PLBHS, ensuring that our work is bold, collaborative, and impactful.
We set the course for the future of biotechnology and health sciences, challenging outdated models and pioneering new solutions.
We push the limits of biotechnology and health sciences, transforming bold ideas into real-world impact that progresses industry, informs policy, and creates opportunities through collaboration.
We don’t just follow biotech trends; we set them.
We hold ourselves to the highest standards of ethics, rigor, and reproducibility in everything we do.
We expand Maine’s biotech workforce and economy by bringing together academia, industry, investors, and government.
We are committed to advancing the frontiers of biotechnology and health sciences, and we’re just getting started.
Contact
Email the lab at plbhs@une.edu.