# Collaborative research efforts benefit both Primarily Undergraduate Institution faculty and students and a biotechnology company in reproducibility project

## TL;DR

Undergraduate students and faculty partnered with a biotech company to test a single-cell analysis workflow, showing it is accessible and reproducible.

## Contribution

Demonstrates that industry collaborations can provide meaningful research opportunities for undergraduates without prior expertise.

## Key findings

- 15 students successfully used a biocytometry workflow with standardized protocols.
- Data generated was comparable to that of PhD-level scientists.
- 91.7% of participants completed the study despite technical challenges.

## Abstract

Undergraduate students often have limited access to industry-focused research opportunities. To address this, faculty and students from 10 primarily undergraduate institutions collaborated with Sampling Human, a biotechnology company, to test a biocytometry workflow for single-cell analysis. The project engaged 15 students with varying levels of research experience and demonstrated that prior research expertise was not essential for successfully using the workflow. Participants followed standardized protocols and generated reproducible data comparable to that of PhD-level scientists. Despite some technical challenges, 91.7% of participants completed the study, showcasing the approachability and reliability of the workflow. This collaboration highlights the potential of industry partnerships to expand research opportunities, enhance academic visibility, and foster academic-corporate co-publications.