BioStratum Inc.

Project Summary:
Location:	BioStratum, Inc. Durham, NC
Lab Functions:	Pharmaceutical Product Development
Project Scope:	Two floors—35,000 sq. ft. 5,000 sq. ft. lab areas
Architect:	Flad & Associates Raleigh, NC
Laboratory Furnishings and Equipment:	MAX/Mobile® Instrument Carts with Contrast® steel storage components with wood fronts SafeAire® Fume Hoods

BioStratum Incorporated research and product development is focused on the basal lamina, the thin membrane that surrounds the body's cells and tissues and is crucial for maintaining healthy tissues and helping the body deal with disease. Faced with rapid growth, BioStratum needed a new space, and fast. That new space was completed in April of 2001.

When choosing casework, flexibility was of paramount concern to BioStratum, along with a strict budget. The addition of staff and equipment meant that the lab needed to be reconfigured from time to time in a cost-efficient manner, without interrupting day-to-day research activities. Furthermore, because it is a privately held company, BioStratum must raise its own capital so it's important to present an image of progress and success.

Mobile carts served as an ideal solution to all of the company's flexibility, budgetary and aesthetic requirements. The company eventually ordered 47 assemblies when final funding amounts were established.

Part of the MAX/Mobile Furniture System, these 60" wide cart assemblies consist of a cart frame, cantilever table frame, plastic laminate worksurface, two above-counter shelves, heavy-duty locking casters, levelers (which can be raised to enhance stability) and power strips. Carts are built to support heavy instrumentation with a total load rating of 2,000 lbs., which is a factor with the type of equipment BioStratum uses. Black steel frames and cabinets, maple drawer and door fronts and black work surfaces were chosen.

Two SafeAire® Fume Hoods were also installed, one each for the recombinant protein and small molecule research groups. They chose black models to maintain a consistent overall look. BioStratum continues to grow and their Hamilton mobile carts are perfectly positioned to help them accommodate that growth.