October 1, 2006 (Vol. 26, No. 17)
URL:
http://openwetware.org/wiki/Main_Page
Rating:
Strong Points: Excellent coverage
Weak Points: None
Summary:
Oh boy, I like the idea of this one. Starting with the catchy title, OpenWetWare is a research-based site that promotes “the sharing of information, know-how, and wisdom among researchers and groups who are working in biology & biological engineering.” Contributors to the site come from all over the map, ranging from Boston University to U.C. Berkeley. Foreign institutions are represented too, including Imperial College and the Indian Institute of Sciences. The site overflows with protocols, equipment information, strains/vectors, safety info, course information, help forums, and links to career resources. The open source movement has turned the computer industry upside down and OpenWetWare appears well-targeted to do the same for biotechnology information. Bravo!
