A South Coast biotech foundation has donated millions of dollars to design an online biology tool to help aspiring scientists.
Thousand Oaks-based Amgen Foundation awarded a $6.5 million grant to Harvard University to develop LabXchange. This interactive platform will provide high school and college students with exposure to the scientific process through virtual lab experiences.
Harvard biology professor Robert Lue says LabXchange also includes online networking focused on collaboration and mentoring.
“Learners and instructors can share what has worked especially well for them. And we can start to leverage what a community can bring in terms of inspiration, in terms of new perspectives, in terms of new pathways for learning,” he says.
Amgen scientists will play key roles in developing the platform.
It’s expected to launch globally in 2019.
The Amgen Foundation supports KCLU’s coverage of science and technology stories.