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December 30, 2022

ABRF Top 10 for 2022

What are your ABRF highlights for the past year?  Are there memorable events, connections, or resources that stand out to you?  Here are a few suggestions or reminders of some of what made ABRF such a valuable community in 2022: 

1. In-Person Meetings Return
2. New Research Studies Planned; New Publications
3. Online Workshops offer on-demand Content and Engagement
4. A new look for JBT – the Journal of Biomolecular Techniques
5. Content Capture as the New Standard
6. Member Town Halls to Stay Connected
7. Annual Meeting features Presentation on The First Complete Human Reference Genome
8. Preparing for new NIH Data Management Policy
9. Core Community offers New Ways to Leverage the ABRF Network
10. Opening a New Door into Biotechnology Careers - Developing the Core Facility Technical Workforce

1.  In-person Meetings Return

From Rochester, NY to Palm Springs, CA, ABRF members welcomed the opportunity to return to meeting together in person.  With more than 1900 on-site attendees, in-person networking and education were once again a valuable part of the ABRF experience.  Reconnecting with colleagues and technology partners to share ideas and learn together, ABRF events in 2022 demonstrated the importance of collaboration and connections for Core personn

 2.  New Research Studies Planned, new publications

ABRF Research Groups developed new proposals for exciting new projects that will answer important questions around the operation and methods in Core facilities.  The 2023 ABRF Research agenda is made possible through the dedicated work of ABRF members, seed funding from ABRF, and generous contributions of supplies and materials from ABRF Corporate Partners.

Among the publications resulting from ABRF Research Group projects was the December 2022 article in Environmental Microbiome, Microbiome and metagenomic analysis of Lake Hillier Australia reveals pigment-rich polyextremophiles and wide-ranging metabolic adaptations, the latest in a 7-year series of stories and appearances, based on work originally done by the ABRF Metagenomics and Microbiome Research Group (MMRG).

3.  Online Workshops offer on-demand Content and Engagement

With travel restrictions varying for many ABRF members, online education opportunities provided timely content and updates on technology and research developments throughout the year. The ABRF Education Committee hosted several events, including a highly-popular program on Flow Cytometry.

The Proteome Informatics Research Group (iPRG) organized a 3-part series on Cloud Computing resources for MS-based proteomics, featuring recorded content, live discussions, and an interactive Slack channel for participants to ask questions.

In addition, ABRF hosted a 7-part seminar series on the latest Sequencing technologies, presented by ABRF Corporate Partners.
Recordings and resources from all ABRF workshops are available on the ABRF web site.
 

4.  A new look for JBT – the Journal of Biomolecular Techniques

The JBT Editorial Board completed a successful transition to a new publishing partner, KFG, part of MIT Press, which has elevated the quality and accessibility of JBT articles, to continue to provide a unique platform for ABRF members to publish their work.

5.  Content Capture as the New Standard

The ABRF Executive Board agreed to support recording and sharing content from ABRF Chapter meetings beginning in 2022, in addition to capturing all program content from the ABRF Annual Meeting and other programs throughout the year.  This content is available to all ABRF members and represents a valuable way to learn more about the topics and issues discussed at ABRF events throughout the year.
 
6.  Member Town Halls to stay Connected

ABRF continued to host monthly Virtual Town Halls to bring members together to learn about current developments in areas ranging from Transparency of the Scientific Literature Efforts to 3D Image Analysis Tools. These sessions are important opportunities to ask questions among fellow members and address common concerns.

7.  Annual Meeting features presentation on The First Complete Human Reference Genome

Among the dozens of valuable sessions at the 2022 ABRF Annual Meeting, the presentation on The First Complete Human Reference Genome, by the Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) Consortium highlighted advances that received global media recognition in the weeks following the ABRF meeting.
 

8.  Preparing for the new NIH Data Management Policy

To prepare for these upcoming requirements, ABRF established a Data Management and Sharing Working Group to share sample data management plans and policies, exchange ideas on how to comply with the new policies, and suggestions for educating Core users on their responsibilities.

ABRF also contributed to FASEB's DataWorks! Initiative which aims to bring the research community together to advance data sharing and reuse.


9.  Core Community offers new ways to leverage the ABRF network

The new Core Community, an online engagement platform for ABRF's 2300+ members, includes over 20 forums to provide members with a way to ask questions, share resources, and connect with colleagues throughout ABRF.  From Core Administration to Spatial Transcriptomics, and from New England to the West Coast, ABRF members can instantly engage with one another to ask for help, offer suggestions, and share ideas.
One member saved over $15,000 by posting a request in the Community for suggestions to move a piece of equipment.

Other members have found new career opportunities and successfully filled open positions through this new resource.
 

10.  Opening a New Door into Biotechnology Careers – Developing the Core Facility Technical Workforce

A project team of ABRF members worked throughout 2022 to prepare a submit a $3 million proposal to the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technical Education division, which will establish a consortium among ABRF, regional Community colleges, and ABRF member institutions, to create training programs and internship opportunities to prepare community college students for careers in Cores.  If funded, this innovative program would elevate ABRF's profile and launch an important new effort to expand the availability of qualified personnel to work in Core facilities across the country.
 

This list is just one set of the many notable ABRF activities and resources that were created in 2022, all made possible by the efforts of ABRF members.
 
What's on your ABRF Top 10 for 2022? 

Please share your suggestions.
 
Have a safe and Happy New Year!