Dr. Marc Salit, NIST MML

Prof. Drew Endy, Stanford BioE

5 October 2015 

NIST VCAT

JIMB

Joint Initiative for Metrology in Biology

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Science & engineering of biology 

are helping to define 21st century economy

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US industry responding in earnest

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Upgrade ad hoc practices with reliable

reproducibility. Enable scaling via metrology.

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NIST VCAT & friends foresaw importance 

of further advancing biometrology 

Michael Amos

Ann Arvin

Thomas Baer

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2007 & 2008 NIST VCAT Annual Reports
Joint Initiative for Metrology in Biology (JIMB)

 “Biology” as both a science and as a type of material.

 Combine innovative academics with metrology professionals 

 and commercial partners; biometrology enabling everyone.

 Advance science, engineering, & medicine:

 - enabling science via better measurement methods

 - advance engineering via reliable reuse of measures and 

 materials as needed to support coordination of labor.

 - not merely more; smarter science and engineering.

 Advance in commerce:

 - accelerate rollouts and reuse of products and offerings.

 - develop metrology foundations underpinning regulatory 

 science.

 - position and maintain U.S. as the global leader in 

 coordinating bioscience & biotechnology

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Developing JIMB as a win-win 

for NIST & Stanford

Instant access to 

innovative academics

Immediate proximity to 

commercial customers

Prototype & promulgate 

biometrology curricula 

supporting workforce

Co-development 

of novel facilities 

Instant strengthening of 

metrology expertise

Sustained & celebrated 

focus on foundational 

science & technology 

Scaling “influence in 

behalf of humanity”

Co-development 

of novel facilities 

NIST Stanford

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What’s inside JIMB v1.0?

Commercial Affiliates

(in partnership with existing or new affiliate programs)

JIMB

Stanford Faculty, 

Staff, & Students

Foundational & 

Translational 

Grants

NIST Scientists & Staff

Training Grant Standards 

Realization Lab

JIMB Bioworks

(genesis/synbiosis)

Technology 

Engr. Lab

Planned In progress In place Overlay shading 

indicates status

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Engaging critical mass of Stanford faculty 

JIMB Foundational & Training grant faculty 9
Enabling future biometrology leaders

JIMB Training Grant Graduate Trainees & Embedded NRC Fellows

Yuling	Liu	(Chemistry) Yuhong	Cao	(Material	Science) Josh	Mason	(Bioengineering)

Michael	Sikora	 Erin	Mitsunaga	(Gene=cs) Aaron	Mitchell	(Bioengineering) (Gene=cs)

Fengjiao	Lyu	(Mechanical	Engr.)

Calvin	Schmidt	(Bioengineering)

Dr.	Luke	Bawazer	(Endy)	 Dr.	Noah	Spies	(Sidow)	 Dr.	Jeff	Glasgow	(Cochran) Dr.	Peter	McLean	(Smolke) Dr.	Crystal	Han	(San=ago)

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Connecting commercial partners

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Example JIMB work products

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JIMB impacts & benefits

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JIMB 

Bioworks
Initial JIMB partnering challenges

1. Space (where?), space (whose?), & space (how?). 

3. Scaling NIST staffing (people) & engagement (resources) 

 to match faculty enthusiasm.

2. Administrative “double jeopardy.”

4. Many minor details.

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JIMB needs & next steps

1. Develop long-term staffing and space plan. 

4. Recruit three additional NIST Scientists (18 months); 

 growing to ten Scientists (60 months).

2. Create a simple administrative framework for JIMB.

3. Prototype JIMB platforms and standards realization labs.

5. Earn full support of Stanford, NIST, and industry.

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Biometrology enabling science,

 engineering, & medicine.

21st century government;

better partners, process, & products.