The Medical Automation Research Center (MARC) provides leadership for international awareness of the potential for technology to improve the efficiency of medicine, prevent errors, and provide unprecedented documentation and hence insight into the daily operation of the practice of medicine. The MARC plans and conducts, through work in its own laboratories and through collaborative activities in extramural scientific and business institutions, an integrated and coordinated program of basic biomedical and engineering research, clinical investigations and trials, demonstration and education projects related to medical efficiency and safety, and business development. From its inception in 1985 until its recognition as a “Center” in 2000, the MARC has developed an international reputation in laboratory automation, and a growing reputation in medical automation. Its international reputation has grown through publication, hosting internationally recognized educational programs, and the development of commercially viable products.
The MARC was initially formed to explore new ways to improve the efficiency of the clinical laboratory services to the University of Virginia Health System. The group either tested or developed several systems that have been integrated into the hospital and proven to be successful in increasing the quality and effectiveness of patient care.
In 1999, MARC announced an exciting new partnership with The Carilion Biomedical Institute, the collaboration between Carilion Health System, The University of Virginia, and Virginia Tech. This initiative between a private health system and two of the nation’s leading research universities had resulted in the growth of the MARC into a world-class biomedical research and technology organization. The MARC Director, Robin Felder, Ph.D. served as the Principal Investigator for the CBI project at the University of Virginia. The initial focus of the Institute at UVA began with the Medical Automation Research Center’s area of expertise in using automation technology to improve the efficiency, and reduce errors in medicine.
Several basic areas of research activity have been established. These activity centers form the basis for the many and varied projects undertaken at MARC and include:
Molecular Automation: Technological Innovations, including products, systems and processes in the field of molecular automation (drug discovery, molecular diagnostics, automated biorepositories, automated cell culture, laboratory process improvement, self optimizing analytical processes, etc).
Technologies to Promote Dignified Aging: Devices, materials, systems, techniques and processes that contribute to an increase in quality of life for our aging population.
Medical Efficiency Technologies: Devices, materials, systems, techniques, and processes that contribute to an increase in medical efficiency and reduction of errors. Specific areas of interest include wireless medicine, process control, process optimization, non-invasive diagnostics, and tools for self administering medical care.
Simulation/Animation: Prototype and project design for both MARC and industry projects. We employ medical artists and designers with interest in modeling human kinematics-particularly in the elderly, as well as medical procedures and medical technology.
Educational Programs: Robotics and automation educational programs, web site forums, international conferences, journal publication, workshops, tutorials, audio conferences. We have hosted an International educational non-profit organization, “LabAutomation, Inc.,” that promoted the use of automation in laboratories. During our management, the LabAutomation Conference grew to over 4,000 attendees and the journal (The Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation (JALA)) had a peak circulation of over 10,000.
At the Medical Automation Research Center, we look forward to our continued service to The University of Virginia, collaboration with Government, Industry and Foundation partners in finding innovative solutions to laboratory automation challenges. We anticipate exciting developments for the future given the growing needs in health care.