Research & Development
Extend Your Scientific Capabilities Without Building Another Laboratory
Research and development does not always follow a predefined testing pathway..
A new technology may need to be evaluated.
A scientific concept may need proof-of-concept data.
A research team may require analytical instrumentation or laboratory capabilities that are
unavailable internally.
A manufacturer may need to investigate a new material, formulation, process, or product
concept.
A startup may need scientific information before committing additional resources to
development.
CMDC Labs provides multidisciplinary Research & Development support for organizations
that need laboratory capabilities, scientific expertise, experimental support, or collaborative
scientific resources to move research forward.
Our team can support projects ranging from clearly defined analytical studies to exploratory
research programs requiring multiple scientific disciplines.
CMDC Labs is
accredited under
Research Begins With a Question
Good research does not necessarily begin with knowing which laboratory test to order.
It begins with understanding:
What are you trying to learn?
What hypothesis, concept, technology, material, product, or process are you evaluating?
What information would help determine the next step?
Depending on the project, organizations may need to:.
- Generate preliminary scientific data
- Evaluate feasibility
- Compare technologies
- Characterize a material or product
- Develop an experimental approach
- Evaluate prototypes
- Develop or adapt an analytical method
- Investigate biological or microbiological behavior
- Understand chemical composition
- Study surfaces or materials
- Generate proof-of-concept information
- Evaluate unexpected findings
- Develop a larger research program
CMDC Labs can help determine which scientific capabilities and laboratory approaches may be appropriate for the research objective.
Applied Research Support
Use Laboratory Science to Investigate Real-World
Scientific Questions
Applied research focuses scientific investigation on practical problems, products, technologies,
materials, processes, and opportunities.
CMDC Labs can support appropriate applied research projects involving areas such as:
- Product science
- Materials
- Surfaces and coatings
- Analytical chemistry
- Microbiology
- Biological response
- Food sciences
- Water and environmental science
- Medical devices
- Manufacturing
- Product quality
- Contamination
- Product stability
- Scientific characterization
- Emerging technologies
Projects may begin with a specific research hypothesis or with a broader question requiring
further scientific definition.
Contract Research Support
Add Scientific Capacity Without Expanding Your Internal
Laboratory
Organizations do not always have every instrument, method, laboratory capability, or scientific
discipline required for a research program.
Building those capabilities internally may require significant investment in equipment, personnel,
facilities, training, and time.
CMDC Labs can function as an external scientific resource for appropriate research programs.
Contract research support may include:
- Laboratory studies
- Specialized analytical work
- Experimental programs
- Product characterization
- Materials characterization
- Microbiological research
- Biological studies
- Method development
- Method validation
- Comparative studies
- Technology evaluation
- Scientific troubleshooting
- Research-related testing
- Data generation
- Scientific consultation
The scope can range from a specific laboratory component of a larger research program to a
more collaborative multidisciplinary project.
Proof-of-Concept Studies
Generate Evidence Before Committing to Larger
Development Programs
An idea can appear promising without yet having enough scientific evidence to justify a larger
investment.
Proof-of-concept research can help evaluate whether a technology, material, formulation,
process, product concept, or scientific approach performs sufficiently to warrant further
development.
Depending on the project, proof-of-concept work may involve:
- Preliminary laboratory testing
- Prototype evaluation
- Material screening
- Product characterization
- Analytical measurements
- Biological evaluation
- Microbiological studies
- Comparative analysis
- Experimental studies
- Feasibility evaluation
- Performance investigation
The objective is not necessarily to generate final verification or validation data.
It is to answer the earlier question:
Pilot Studies
Learn on a Smaller Scale Before Expanding the Research
Program
A pilot study can provide valuable information before a larger experimental or development
program begins.
Pilot work may help researchers:
- Evaluate experimental feasibility
- Refine procedures
- Identify unexpected variables
- Compare analytical approaches
- Determine whether sufficient information can be generated
- Evaluate sample requirements
- Assess preliminary trends
- Identify potential technical challenges
- Refine the scope of subsequent research
CMDC Labs can support appropriate pilot studies using relevant laboratory and analytical
capabilities.
Results from pilot work may then help guide the design of a larger research or development
program.
Experimental Design Support
Build Experiments Around the Scientific Question
Research quality depends not only on how measurements are performed, but also on how the experiment is structured.
Depending on the project, experimental planning may require consideration of:
- Research objectives
- Hypotheses
- Variables
- Controls
- Comparison groups
- Samples
- Experimental conditions
- Analytical techniques
- Measurement strategies
- Study sequence
- Potential sources of variability
- Data requirements
- Follow-up experiments
CMDC Labs can work with organizations to help translate a research question into an
appropriate experimental and laboratory approach.
Technology Evaluation
Generate Scientific Information About Emerging or Existing Technologies
New technologies often require scientific evaluation before their potential can be properly
understood.
Organizations may need to determine:
- Does the technology perform as expected?
- How does it compare with an existing approach?
- Which scientific characteristics can be measured?
- What limitations are visible?
- Which variables influence performance?
- What happens under different conditions?
- Which additional questions should be investigated?
Depending on the technology, CMDC Labs may support evaluation through analytical
chemistry, materials characterization, microbiology, biological response testing, product
characterization, comparative studies, or other relevant scientific approaches.
Analytical Research
Use Advanced Laboratory Techniques to Investigate Scientific Questions
Research programs frequently require analytical capabilities beyond routine testing.
Depending on the scientific objective, CMDC Labs may draw from technologies and
methodologies involving:
- HPLC
- LC-MS/MS
- GC / GC-MS
- ICP-MS
- FTIR
- Raman Spectroscopy
- SEM
- XPS
- PCR
- Flow Cytometry
- Cell Culture
- Cell-Based Assays
- Microbiological Methods
- Surface Characterization
- Materials Characterization
- Microscopy
The appropriate analytical technique depends on the sample, research question, required
information, and intended use of the resulting data.
Multiple analytical approaches may be useful when one technique cannot provide the complete
scientific picture.
Product Characterization Research
Understand the Scientific Characteristics of a Product
Product characterization can play an important role in research, development, comparison,
troubleshooting, and technology evaluation.
Depending on the product and research objective, characterization may involve:
- Chemical composition
- Materials
- Surfaces
- Coatings
- Ingredients
- Microbiological characteristics
- Biological response
- Trace metals
- Contaminants
- Physical characteristics
- Stability
- Degradation
- Unknown substances
- Differences between products or versions
Characterization studies can help researchers understand what a product is, how it differs from
another product, how it changes, and which characteristics may influence performance.
Materials & Surface Research
Materials and surfaces can strongly influence product performance, durability, biological
interaction, manufacturing behavior, stability, and compatibility.
CMDC Labs’ background in materials science and surface technologies can support appropriate
research involving:
- Material characterization
- Material identification
- Material comparison
- Surface characterization
- Surface modification
- Coating evaluation
- Material compatibility
- Chemical characterization
- Material degradation
- Surface changes
- Failure investigation
- Contamination
- Material selection research
These capabilities may support medical devices, industrial products, emerging technologies,
product development, and other research programs.
Microbiology Research Support
Microorganisms influence products, environments, manufacturing systems, water, food,
biological systems, and numerous research applications.
Depending on the project, microbiological research may involve:
- Microbial identification
- Microbial enumeration
- Antimicrobial studies
- Biofilm-related questions
- Product contamination
- Environmental microorganisms
- Microbial product interaction
- Microbiological characterization
- Experimental microbiology
- Method development
- Comparative studies
Research programs involving microbiology can be designed around the specific scientific
objective rather than being limited to routine quality-testing applications.
Cell & Biological Response Research
Products, materials, surfaces, compounds, and technologies intended to interact with biological
systems may require research into cellular or biological response.
Depending on the project, CMDC Labs capabilities may support:
- Mammalian cell testing
- Cell culture
- Cell-based assays
- Biological response
- Immune-response studies
- Surface interaction research
- Bioactive surface evaluation
- Antimicrobial technologies
- Comparative biological studies
- Assay development
These capabilities can support research programs involving medical technologies, materials,
surfaces, diagnostics, product development, and other biological applications.
Food, Agriculture & Environmental Research
Scientific research is not limited to medical or industrial products.
CMDC Labs’ expanding multidisciplinary capabilities can support appropriate research
questions involving:
- Food products
- Ingredients
- Dairy
- Agricultural products
- Feed
- Water
- Soil
- Environmental contaminants
- Microorganisms
- Product quality
- Shelf life
- Stability
- Agricultural water
- Environmental conditions
- Product development
- Contamination
Projects may involve clearly defined laboratory measurements or broader research questions
requiring multiple scientific approaches.
Method Development
When the Research Question Requires a New or Adapted
Analytical Approach
Established laboratory methods are appropriate for many projects.
Research programs, however, may involve unusual samples, materials, matrices, products,
analytes, technologies, or scientific questions for which an existing method does not completely
address the objective.
CMDC Labs can support appropriate method-development work involving:
- Analytical approach selection
- Method adaptation
- Sample preparation
- Detection strategy
- Analytical feasibility
- Method optimization
- Method performance evaluation
- Custom analytical approaches
The intended use of the method should be considered during development, particularly if formal
validation may eventually be required.
Method Validation
A research or development program may progress to a point where an analytical method needs
to demonstrate appropriate performance for its intended purpose.
CMDC Labs can support appropriate method-validation projects based on the method, intended
use, scientific objective, and applicable project requirements.
Where resulting data will be used for regulatory submission or regulatory monitoring, applicable
laboratory qualifications, certifications, accreditation scope, and method requirements should be
evaluated during project qualification.
Scientific Collaboration
Work With CMDC Labs as an Extension of Your Scientific
Team
Some research projects benefit from a collaborative relationship rather than a simple
transactional testing arrangement.
CMDC Labs can participate in appropriate scientific collaborations where organizations require
complementary expertise or laboratory capabilities.
Potential collaborators may include:
- Universities
- Research institutions
- Startups
- Product developers
- Medical device companies
- Biotechnology organizations
- Food manufacturers
- Agricultural organizations
- Environmental organizations
- Industrial manufacturers
- Technology developers
- Internal corporate R&D teams
The nature of the collaboration depends on the scientific objective, available capabilities, project
scope, and respective responsibilities of the participating organizations.
Research Troubleshooting
When the Experiment Produces More Questions Than
Answers
Research does not always behave as expected.
An experiment may generate:
- Unexpected results
- Inconsistent data
- Unexplained differences
- Contamination
- Material changes
- Unanticipated biological response
- Analytical interference
- Unidentified compounds
- Reproducibility concerns
- New questions
In these situations, CMDC Labs can help evaluate the available information and determine
whether additional scientific investigation or laboratory analysis may clarify the issue.
Research troubleshooting may involve multiple disciplines depending on the problem.
From Research to Product Development
Research and product development frequently overlap.
A research project may generate a promising technology.
A proof-of-concept study may lead to prototype development.
A material investigation may lead to a new product concept.
An experimental formulation may progress toward commercialization.
As projects mature, CMDC Labs can support the transition from exploratory research into more
structured product-development activities involving:
- Prototype evaluation
- Product characterization
- Material selection
- Ingredient evaluation
- Formulation investigation
- Stability
- Shelf life
- Method development
- Verification-related testing
- Validation-related testing
- Manufacturing troubleshooting
- Commercialization support
Scientific Consulting for Research Programs
Some research organizations have the laboratory resources they need but require help
determining the scientific strategy.
CMDC Labs can provide scientific consultation for appropriate projects involving:
- Research planning
- Experimental design
- Testing strategy
- Analytical approach selection
- Method selection
- Method development
- Product characterization strategy
- Data interpretation
- Scientific project planning
- Technology evaluation
- Investigation planning
- Scientific review
Consultation may occur independently or as part of a larger laboratory research program.
Research Across the Development Lifecycle
CMDC Labs can support scientific work at multiple stages.
Discovery
Explore scientific questions, concepts, technologies, materials, and opportunities.
Feasibility
Generate preliminary information to determine whether further investigation is justified.
Proof of Concept
Evaluate whether a concept demonstrates sufficient scientific promise to continue development.
Experimental Research
Conduct structured laboratory studies around defined scientific questions.
Characterization
Understand materials, products, surfaces, microorganisms, biological response, chemistry, and
other relevant characteristics.
Development
Use research findings to support product, method, technology, or process development.
Verification & Validation
Where appropriate, transition toward more formal testing based on the intended application and applicable project requirements.
Commercialization & Continued Improvement
Support scientific questions that emerge during manufacturing, scale-up, product improvement,
and ongoing product use.
A Multidisciplinary Research Environment
Complex research questions often cross scientific disciplines.
A product-development study may require chemistry and microbiology.
A material investigation may require spectroscopy, microscopy, and surface analysis.
A contamination problem may involve microbiology, analytical chemistry, materials, and
environmental information.
A medical device project may involve materials, surfaces, biological response, sterility, and
analytical characterization.
A food-science project may involve microbiology, chemistry, ingredients, stability, and shelf life.
CMDC Labs’ multidisciplinary environment allows appropriate research programs to draw upon
multiple scientific capabilities when the question requires them.
How an R&D Project Begins
Step 1 — Tell Us What You Are Researching
Describe the concept, product, material, technology, process, scientific question, or research
objective.
Step 2 — Tell Us What You Already Know
Share relevant information such as:
- Existing research
- Preliminary data
- Previous testing
- Product information
- Materials
- Formulations
- Specifications
- Technical documentation
- Photographs
- Available samples
Step 3 — Define the Research Objective
What are you trying to learn?
What hypothesis are you evaluating?
What decision will the resulting information support?
Step 4 — Determine the Scientific Approach
Depending on the project, this may involve:
- Laboratory testing
- Analytical research
- Experimental design
- Proof-of-concept studies
- Pilot studies
- Product characterization
- Materials characterization
- Method development
- Biological studies
- Microbiology
- Scientific consultation
- Multidisciplinary research
Step 5 — Build the Appropriate Research Program
The project can then proceed according to the agreed scientific objectives and scope.
Results from one stage may help determine the most appropriate next stage.
Already Have a Defined Research Protocol?
If your research requirements, samples, methods, and analytical objectives are already
established, CMDC Labs can evaluate the defined scope and determine whether the required
laboratory capabilities are available.
You do not necessarily need to begin with consulting.
Not Sure How to Structure the Research?
You do not need to have the entire research program designed before contacting CMDC Labs.
Start with the scientific question.
Tell us:
What are you trying to understand?
What have you already learned?
What resources or capabilities are missing?
What would you like the research to help you determine?
Our team can evaluate whether CMDC Labs has the scientific expertise and laboratory capabilities appropriate for the project.
Extend Your Research Capabilities With CMDC Labs
Scientific innovation frequently requires capabilities beyond those available within a single organization.
CMDC Labs brings together multidisciplinary laboratory resources, analytical technologies, scientific consulting, research experience, product-development support, and troubleshooting capabilities to help organizations investigate questions and generate meaningful scientific information.
Whether you need a specific analytical capability, proof-of-concept study, experimental program, method-development project, product characterization, collaborative research support, or a broader multidisciplinary R&D program, start with the scientific objective.
We can determine the appropriate path from there.
Not Sure Which Test You Need?
That’s exactly where a Scientific Solutions conversation can begin.
Tell us:
What happened?
What are you trying to understand?
What information do you already have?
What decision are you trying to make?
Our team can review the information and determine whether CMDC Labs has the capabilities to
help.
Bring Us the Question
Some projects begin with a sample.
Others begin with a specification.
And some begin with nothing more than:
“We have a problem and we need to understand what is happening.”
CMDC Labs is building its Scientific Solutions model around all three.
By combining multidisciplinary laboratory capabilities with scientific expertise, investigation, development support, and consultation, we help organizations move from uncertainty toward useful scientific information.
