Archimedes Center Life Sciences Business Accelerator

Archimedes Center is a nonprofit laboratory accelerator in Rochester built specifically for early-stage life sciences companies moving from concept toward commercialization. Archimedes offers walk-up-ready lab modules inside a 4,800 sq ft facility already outfitted for mammalian cell culture, high-throughput screening, flow cytometry, molecular biology, and protein work.
The center was founded by Dr. Harold C. Smith, an RNA biologist with more than 30 years in biomedical research, and it pairs bench space with hands-on mentorship — scientific, business, financial, legal, and patent advisors who work with companies from ideation through proof-of-concept and investor conversations. The facility location puts tenants within reach of academic collaborators, core facilities, and clinical research talent.

Total Space: 4,800 sq ft mixed-use lab and office, with a committed 3,800 sq ft phased expansion
Biosafety Level: BSL-2 and BSL-2+
Available Units: 100–1,200 sq ft, subleasable to one or more tenants
Lease Model: Flat monthly fee — utilities, services, and shared equipment access included

Core scientific capabilities include:
Mammalian cell and tissue culture, and cell engineering
High-content and high-throughput compound screening (robotic)
Cell imaging and image analysis
Flow cytometry and cytotoxicity assays
Protein, RNA, and DNA purification and analysis
Molecular cloning, gene transduction, plasmid transfection
Biochemistry and enzyme assays
Microbiology and bacterial culture
SOP development and laboratory quality practice

Stated research strengths include oncology, pathology, biosafety, cell and molecular biology, vaccine development.