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ASTRE
- The ASTRE Center, the first biotech startup business incubator at the University of Puerto Rico and Puerto Rico, located on the fifth floor -at the Molecular Science Research Center- is geared towards entrepreneurial collaborative scientific research. The Center will provide a nurturing and supporting business environment, 21st century scientific infrastructure and services, and a spacious and inspiring place for collaborating and developing the inventions and innovations of the future.
- The ASTRE Center will house incipient scientific companies, businesses and researchers in a lab co-working space that allows access to resources that are otherwise not available in the region, all in one central hub. This co-working space/business incubator at the Molecular Science Research Center (MSRC) will further innovation and research that leads towards spurring economic growth in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
- The building has 24/7 private security, access control to the areas and security cameras on all floors. In addition, the ASTRE Center has its own security cameras and exclusive and personalized access to the laboratories and common areas on the floor, only for companies that work on the fifth floor.
- Meeting room and huddle rooms:
- All labs have access to meeting rooms and meeting spaces to facilitate collaboration between teams. These spaces are equipped with presentation technology and are ideal for discussion and planning sessions.
- Laboratories
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- All laboratories have three main areas: Lab Working, Support Area and Writeup Area. It is designed to facilitate research work and the handling of specialized equipment. Its layout optimizes workflow and maximizes the use of available space.
- Access to gases: The laboratory has direct access to the following gases (Compressed air, Argon, CO2, nitrogen, and vacuum).
- Chemical extraction hoods: The laboratory has a chemical extraction hood to ensure a safe environment for the handling of hazardous materials. The Chemical Hood has been properly certified.
- Biosafety cabinets: The laboratory has one biosafety cabinet (BSC) to perform sterile procedures. The BSC can be used to work in mammalian tissue culture. The BSC has been properly certified.
- Workbench Space and Work Area: The lab offers enough bench space and work areas for the use of multiple researchers at the same time. This arrangement facilitates collaborative work and allows experiments to be carried out efficiently.
- Environmental Monitoring System (Temperature, Humidity and Pressure): Each laboratory is equipped with a continuous temperature, humidity and pressure monitoring system that ensures a controlled environment for critical experimental conditions. The monitored data is recorded in real time to alert of any variation outside the established parameters.
- Freezer Room (-20°C and -80°C):
- All laboratories have access to a freezer room that includes four storage units at -20°C and four at -80°C, ideal for the preservation of sensitive samples. This space is conditioned to ensure that the required temperatures are maintained constantly
- Autoclave Room:
- Laboratories have access to an autoclave room with two autoclaves for the safe sterilization of materials and equipment. This room meets biosafety requirements and ensures the elimination of biological waste.
- Culture Room:
- Laboratories have access to a BL-2 culture room intended for the growth and maintenance of cells in a controlled environment. This space has the necessary conditions for cell culture procedures.
- Bathrooms:
- Bathrooms are in easily accessible areas. These toilets comply with hygiene standards and are adapted for the use of the ASTRE Center staff.
Virtual Tour 360°
Access our 360° Virtual Tour to learn more about the project:
Contact us:
For further details on this project, please contact Dr. Mario J. Maura, principal Researcher of ASTRE Center (Advanced Science and Technology Research and Entrepreneurship Center) and business director of the Molecular Science Research Center: mario.maura@upr.edu