Driven by the need for greater cost effectiveness and the desire to extract the most value from pricey assets, laboratory managers are converting their unused, excess and replaced equipment into cash.

How can a lab conduct multidisciplinary research under one roof? What is the most efficient and cost-effective way to add a new lab? Flexible modular laboratories have evolved as innovative answers to these often-daunting questions.

On top of financial cutbacks from the state and federal agencies, many universities face growing public skepticism about the value of funding universities.

The National Academy of Sciences has unanimously recommended 13 measures to address problems plaguing crime-lab forensics, including a call for massive forensic-science research sponsored and funded by a science-based agency outside the Department of Justice.

Despite the vigilance of federal, state and local regulators and of accreditation organizations that evaluate and certify laboratories, the development and maintenance of quality in laboratories are constant concerns.

The role of food labs in the development of new flavours, textures and products.

The U.S. imports food from more than 150 countries and territories. Much of it is fresh produce and seafood, which can carry microscopic contaminants. While these contaminants become smaller and more sophisticated and food safety laws become stricter, food testing laboratories are coming up with new technologies and processes to detect chemical toxins before they reach the consumer.

Direct technology spending and the time and effort expended to source, assess and buy equipment, raw materials and consumables make the acquisition of laboratory equipment a dominant expense category on the balance sheets of laboratories. Lab Manager shares the results of its annual lab investment study here.

Academic labs attract stimulus money but funding challenges remain

A series of food safety crises, including melamine contamination in pet foods; E coli-tainted spinach, peppers and green onions; and a Salmonella typhimurium outbreak in peanut products have transformed food analysts from vigilant sentries into veritable centurions stridently safeguarding the quality, regulatory compliance and safety of our food.

It is still too early to gauge the exact impact of the world-wide financial meltdown on the laboratory sector. What has emerged thus far is a mixed picture based on industry and type of laboratory.