D-I-Y Biotech Lab Opens in Carlsbad

A new biology and technology lab, where scientists and tech enthusiasts alike can gather and lease workspace, is opening in Carlsbad. 

According to XConomy, the space will be known as "Bio, Tech & Beyond," a play on home goods and housewares giant "Bed, Bath & Beyond."

The innovative community will allow inventors, entrepreneurs, scientists, and more to gather in a common space and work on, well, whatever, they're working on. 

The lab, which will hold an open house on Friday at 4:30 p.m., is the brainchild of Joseph Jackson, co-founder of BioCurious, and Kevin Lustig, CEO of San Diego’s Assay Depot. Their goal was simply to create a space where innovators were free to work, outside of their "day jobs," where, according to XConomy, "intellectual property is often ceded to the employer."

“We represent an opportunity where they can come in with their idea, and very inexpensively come up with results,” Lustig told the website. "“It’s not really an incubator; our focus is on an earlier stage than that."

Jackson has had similar success with his BioCurious community lab, which he launched in Sunnyvale, CA.

Located at 2351 Faraday Ave, the duo will lease the space, which is owned by the city, having secured a five-year lease for $1 per year, according to XConomy. Rates for their "citizen scientists," range from $100-$600 per month, or a flat rate of $10 per day. 

"We’re trying to change the model for doing science," said Jackson. "We’re trying to figure out the best way to enable creativity, but at the same time, you can’t have complete chaos.”