June 15, 2007 (Vol. 27, No. 12)
URL:
http://www.pnl.gov
Rating:
Strong Points: Good view of facility
Weak Points: Could do a better job on research component
Summary:
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Richland, WA, is one of 10 Department of Energy national labs. With an aim to provide facilities for fundamental research and innovation, the PNNL focuses on preventing/countering acts of terrorism, increasing U.S. energy capacity while reducing the dependence on imported oil, and reducing the effects of energy generation and use on the environment. Yes, that is a wide-ranging agenda! The lab has advanced capabilities in microbial and cellular biology, including strong programs in systems biology, cell biology/biochemistry, fungal biotechnology, proteomics research, and molecular computing. Visitors to the site can learn of the numerous PNNL research initiatives, access its publications, scan job-related material, and follow the latest news. Though the site could do a better job of emphasizing the excellent work being done at the lab, it is still worth a visit.
