Microbial Commons:
Governing Complex Knowledge Assets
National Academy of Sciences
Washington D.C.
October 8-9 2009
Minna Allarakhia
University of Waterloo
Management Sciences
Systems Biology Paradigm
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Systems level
understanding of
biological
processes
DISEASE 1
DISEASE 2
Multiple
hierarchical
levels
Information is
processed in
complex
networks
DISEASE 3
DISEASE 4
A Knowledge Perspective
of Innovation
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Biology is an information science
Multiple Hierarchical Levels
Complex Networks and
Interactions
A New Biological Knowledge
Framework
Public Good versus Quasi-Private
Good
Managing Incentives for the First
and Second Innovators
Voluntary Spillovers

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Development of a collegial reputation as a
reward for working in open science.
To create general reciprocity obligations.
To influence adoption of a technology or
technology standard.
When firms are interested in improvements
of the average aggregate performance of an
industry; to increase safety and regulation
associated within an industry.
To pre-empt rivals.
The Open Source Model
Collaborative
Production
OPEN SOURCE
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
Shared
Implementation
Collaborative
Production
OPEN SOURCE
BIOTECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
Fair and/or
Equitable Access
A Knowledge Based View of
Biopharmaceutical Alliances

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Resource-Based Theories
Knowledge Access Theories
Knowledge Structures Theory
Consortium Analysis
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Analysis of 39 consortia
Committed to
– Open Source
Analysis
– Structure and Knowledge Types
– Participants
– Rules
– Appropriation Strategies
Use of Knowledge Framework
to Understand Firm Behaviour
Knowledge Parameter
Knowledge
Characteristics
Knowledge Class
Knowledge Form
Knowledge Phase
Knowledge Paradigm
Analysis
Complementarity
Substitutability
Applicability
Research Input
Tool
Drug
Diagnostic
Disembodied
Embodied
Impact on Participation,
Appropriation, and
Bargaining Decisions
Impact on Participation,
Appropriation, and
Bargaining Decisions
Upstream
Downstream
Chemical
Biological
Information
Timing and Focus of
Appropriation
Focus of Knowledge
Generation Activities
and Intellectual Property
Strategies
Value of Knowledge
Governing the Biotech
Commons
Managing the Biotech
Commons
Participation
Knowledge
Dissemination Strategy
Appropriation and
Licensing Management
Governance Mechanism
Entry Rules
Commitment Policies
Knowledge Access Policy
Rules for Sharing of Data
Open/Closed Data
Repositories/Publications
Rules for Materials Dissemination
Transfer of/Pooling of Biological
Materials
Copy-left Licenses for Data
Open Materials Access, NE-RF
Licensing, Patent Pools,
Geographic-Based Licensing
Updated Commons
Model
Rules for
Knowledge/Technology
Management
Structure:
Open or Closed
Commons
Rules/Incentives
for Participation
Participants;
Catalyzation
The Microbial Commons

Limitless capabilities for
application of knowledge to
national needs
– DOE Energy and Environmental
Missions

Whole Systems Understanding
– Whole living and interacting systems

Integration and Analysis of Data
– Knowledge organization/Patterns
Managing Microbial Data

Continued Sharing of
Microbiological Information Critical
– Linking Literature, Databases and User
Communities
– Collaborative Discovery, Validation,
Representation
– Suggested governance mechanisms include
time of data deposits, access and use,
exemption clauses for non-commercial use,
management transfer, commercial use
clauses
Case Examples of Microbial
Data Management
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Open access journals, databases,
supporting tools
MannDB
– Microbial relational database
– Use of open source tools
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GBIF
– Information-based infrastructure to
connect users to a globally distributed
network of databases
Case Examples of Microbial
Data Management
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Initiatives to share microbial data
from the private sector
Helicos BioSciences Corporation
– Open microbial data sets-Motivation?
Managing Microbial
Materials
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WFCC-Umbrella Organization
Biological Resource Centres (BRCs)
– House collections of culturable
organisms, replicable parts, cells and
tissues as well as databases
– Exchange of materials governed by
contractual agreements (transfer
agreements)
– Compensatory liability regime-”take
and pay rules”
Case Examples of Microbial
Materials Management
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CAMBRI
– Common interest gateway (Linkages)
– E-access to biological material repositories
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BioBricks
– Biological (DNA) parts are made available to
the public free of charge currently via MIT’s
Registry of Standard Biological Parts
– Collection of approximately 3200 genetic
parts that can be mixed and matched to build
synthetic biology devices and systems
– Unencumbered use of biological parts
Managing Downstream
Assets
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Eco-Patent Commons
– Patent pledges of environmentally beneficial
technology
– Non-assertion against infringers
– 100 eco-friendly patents have been pledged as
of 2008
– Motivation?
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AlgOS
– Open source initiative seeking solutions
to produce biodiesel from algae
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Green Licensing
The Transition Point
TP
HC
HC, LS, HA
Eg. Genes,
Proteins,
O, C, NE, EL, ID
Biological
Systems
TP
HC, HS, HA
E.g. Biological
Materials, Tools,
Drugs/
Diagnostics
HA
NE, EL, ID
HC, L-HS, HA
LC, LS, LA
E.g. Biological
Target Specific to
a Rare System
LC
LS
EL, ID
LC, HS, LA
E.g.
Products
Targeting Small
Markets
EL, ID
LA
HS
Governing the Microbial
Commons
Managing the
Microbial
Commons
Example
Knowledge
Characteristics
Knowledge
Governance
Strategy
Data
Materials
Management
Downstream
Assets
MannDB; GBIF; CAMBRI;
Helicos Microbial BioBricks.
Data.
HC, NS, HA
HC, NS-S, HA
EcoPatent
Commons;
AlgOS.
HC, NS-S, HA
Open Access;
Open Access;
Use of
MTAs; License
Supporting Open Agreements.
Access Tools.
Non-Assertion
Clauses; Green
Licensing GNUGeneral Public
Licenses.
Pragmatic Outcomes
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Managing knowledge assets within in
the information paradigm and now
convergence paradigm
Equitable access to knowledge
Equitable opportunities to pursue
downstream technological
opportunities
– Private and social implications via multiple
products for the consumer
Policy Outcomes
Strategic Issue
Policy Implications
Enabling large-scale global
research projects.
Federal policy encouraging the
development of global teams
with participants from the
public and private sectors.
Need for access to
complementary expertise
and information.
Networks of collaboration.
Transparency of motives
during knowledge
production.
Establishment and commitment
to rules regarding knowledge
production.
Differing conventions
regarding knowledge
dissemination and
appropriation.
Early establishment of rules to
manage knowledge outcomes.
Future Endeavours

Analyze new case studies involving
open source innovation targeting the
energy and environment sectors
– Evolving models of innovation

Creation of repository of governance
strategies of microbial knowledge
assets including any licensing
templates, as has been created by
BiOS and the Creative Commons
– Ex-ante management of knowledge assets