About BDB LLC

BDB LLC is an independent scientific and technical consulting company founded to help organizations solve complex research, laboratory, engineering, and technology challenges through practical scientific expertise and hands-on technical leadership.

Based in Carrboro, North Carolina and serving clients locally and remotely, BDB LLC provides flexible consulting and project support across biotechnology, life sciences, laboratory operations, scientific software, data analysis, automation, and emerging technologies.

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Our Mission

BDB LLC exists to provide organizations with experienced scientific and technical expertise that can be engaged efficiently, applied practically, and scaled to meet the needs of each project.

Rather than simply offering advice, the company emphasizes solving difficult scientific and technical problems through careful analysis, thoughtful implementation, and close collaboration with its clients.

About the Principal Consultant

Brian David Bower, PhD

(Scientific Consultant / Contractor)

SUMMARY: Dr. Bower has been helping meet the scientific and technical consulting and contracting needs of clients in and around the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill and Research Triangle Park (RTP) area of North Carolina since 2017. He has a further 10 years of related experience from work at the University of Michigan (U-M), the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), at Ohio University (OU) in the Edison Biotechnology Institute (EBI). His academic and commercial career has included a track record of success working in both small and large laboratories, with diverse multinational teams and in completely independent settings. Some of these success stem from his excellent verbal and written communication skills, including funded grant applications, peer reviewed publications, and award winning PowerPoint and poster presentations presented at domestic and international conferences.

Multitasking Man

Find Dr. Bower on LinkedIn

Dr. Bower’s Personal LinkedIn Page can be found at:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianbowerphd/

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Professional Background

Brian David Bower, Ph.D., has more than two decades of experience spanning biotechnology, molecular biology, laboratory operations, software development, scientific instrumentation, data analysis, automation, and technical consulting. His career has included academic research, commercial biotechnology, independent consulting, and multidisciplinary technical leadership.

Scientific Expertise

TELOMERE BIOLOGY, DNA RECOMBINATION & GENOME STABILITY:

Scientific investigation of telomere structure, protection, replication, and recombination.
• Functional analysis of Telomere Repeat Binding Factors 1 and 2 (TRF1 and TRF2)
• Characterization of interactions between shelterin proteins and Rad51 recombinase
• Investigation of homologous recombination mechanisms at telomeres
• Analysis of telomeric and nontelomeric displacement-loop (D-loop) formation
• Study of strand invasion, strand exchange, and DNA structural dynamics
• Research related to telomere replication, genome stability, and cellular aging
• Investigation of molecular mechanisms influencing replication fork restart and telomere maintenance

RNA BIOLOGY & RNA CHAPERONE FUNCTION:

Scientific investigation of RNA structure, folding, and RNA-protein interactions.
• Analysis of retroviral RNA folding pathways and structural intermediates
• Investigation of RNA chaperone-mediated RNA remodeling
• Characterization of nucleocapsid-mediated RNA folding mechanisms
• Study of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP)-mediated RNA chaperone activity
• Evaluation of guanosine-dependent RNA structural interactions
• Investigation of relationships between RNA sequence, structure, and biological functio

VIRAL VECTOR BIOLOGY & GENE DELIVERY:

Scientific investigation of viral-vector structure, stability, and genome release mechanisms.
• Characterization of Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) capsid uncoating
• Investigation of viral genome release mechanisms
• Analysis of single-stranded and self-complementary AAV vector systems
• Study of viral capsid stability under varying environmental conditions
• Application of electron microscopy to characterization of viral capsid structure, genome release, and viral-vector biology
• Investigation of relationships between genome organization and capsid behavior

CELL & GENE THERAPY BIOANALYSIS:

Scientific support of molecular testing strategies used during development of advanced therapeutics.
• Familiarity with quantitative PCR (qPCR), reverse-transcription qPCR (RT-qPCR), digital droplet PCR (ddPCR), and related molecular technologies
• Evaluation of genomic DNA, messenger RNA, and gene-editing endpoints
• Scientific discussion of assay validation for Cell & Gene Therapy products
• Experience evaluating assay acceptance criteria and positive-control strategies
• Selection and evaluation of housekeeping genes
• Consideration of assay transfer between research, CLIA, and FDA laboratory environments
• Participation in scientific discussion regarding regulatory expectations for bioanalytical assays

AGING BIOLOGY & LONGEVITY RESEARCH:

Scientific investigation of biological mechanisms regulating aging and lifespan.
• Research involving pharmacological interventions that extend lifespan
• Investigation of age-associated sarcopenia and skeletal muscle biology
• Study of sex-specific responses to longevity interventions
• Analysis of functional aging, muscle performance, and physical resilience
• Investigation of hormonal regulation of aging-related pathways
• Evaluation of mechanisms influencing healthspan and late-life function

ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLIC BIOLOGY:

Scientific investigation of endocrine regulation of metabolism, growth, and physiology.
• Research involving Growth Hormone (GH) and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I)
• Investigation of glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity
• Study of obesity and Type II Diabetes animal models
• Analysis of body composition and metabolic physiology
• Investigation of endocrine influences on lifespan and aging
• Evaluation of metabolic biomarkers and physiological endpoints

PROTEOMICS & BIOMARKER DISCOVERY:

Scientific investigation of protein expression and biomarker identification.
• Plasma proteome analysis
• Identification of hormone-responsive biomarkers
• Collaborated with analytical scientists performing mass spectrometry-based protein characterization to support biologics development.
• Confirmation of candidate biomarkers using complementary analytical methods
• Investigation of protein expression changes associated with physiological interventions
• Evaluation of proteomic approaches to disease biology and therapeutic response

MOLECULAR & CELLULAR ASSAY DEVELOPMENT:

Development, optimization, and interpretation of molecular and biochemical assays.
• Experimental design for investigation of DNA-, RNA-, and protein-mediated biological processes
• Development of fluorescence-based molecular assays
• Optimization of assay sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility
• Selection of appropriate experimental controls
• Evaluation of quantitative biological endpoints
• Integration of molecular, cellular, biochemical, and imaging data

PHARMACOLOGY & TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH:

Scientific investigation of therapeutic interventions from exploratory research through preclinical evaluation.
• Design of studies examining drug potency and biological activity
• Investigation of treatment time-course and serum-shift effects
• Evaluation of pharmacodynamic responses
• Integration of cell-based and animal-model findings
• Investigation of molecular mechanisms underlying therapeutic response
• Scientific support of translational research programs

SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTATION & MULTIMODAL ANALYSIS:

Application of complementary analytical technologies to complex scientific questions.
• Integration of molecular, cellular, biochemical, and physiological data
• Evaluation of fluorescence imaging systems
• Application of quantitative PCR technologies
• Experience with microscopy and ultrastructural analysis
• Evaluation of mass spectrometry and proteomic methodologies
• Selection of analytical platforms appropriate to specific scientific objectives

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN & SCIENTIFIC PROBLEM SOLVING:

Development of rigorous experimental approaches for complex biological questions.
• Development of testable scientific hypotheses
• Selection of appropriate controls and experimental endpoints
• Identification of technical limitations and confounding variables
• Troubleshooting of experimental procedures
• Integration of multidisciplinary scientific findings
• Interpretation of complex experimental datasets
• Emphasis on scientific rigor, reproducibility, and transparent interpretation

SCIENTIFIC WRITING, PUBLICATION & COMMUNICATION:

Preparation and communication of scientific information for technical, regulatory, and interdisciplinary audiences.
• Authorship and coauthorship of peer-reviewed scientific publications
• Preparation of scientific manuscripts, dissertations, abstracts, and book chapters
• Preparation of scientific presentations and conference materials
• Development of responses to peer reviewers
• Communication of complex scientific findings to technical and nontechnical audiences
• Participation in scientific panel discussions and professional conferences
• Preparation of scientific documentation supporting collaborative research and technology development

Technical Experience

MOLECULAR CLONING:

  • Molecular cloning techniques including cloning scheme development for protein and gene expression and targeting vectors
  • Backbone sourcing and modification
  • Adapter primer design and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) condition optimization
  • Restriction digestion
  • Dephosphorylation via Calf Intestinal Phosphatase (CIP) and Shrimp Alkaline Phosphatase (SAP)
  • Ligation via T4 Ligase
  • Related bacteriology skills (below)

BACTERIOLOGY:

  • Routine laboratory bacteriology to include production of competent cells
  • Plasmid transformation via heat shock and electroporation
  •  Plating and streaking for isolation
  • Colony picking and blue-white selection
  • Expansion in liquid culture including optical density monitoring
  • Plasmid DNA purification via methods including mini-, midi-, and maxi-preps Cesium Chloride (CsCl) gradient banding, and crude purification via alkaline lysis.
  • Procedures also include those relevant to protein expression and purification (below)

PROTEIN EXPRESSION & PURIFICATION:

  • Transgenic protein expression induction using Isopropyl β- d-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG)
  • Bacterial cell lysis using lysozyme, benzonase, DNAse, RNAse, sonication, and other mechanical means
  • Lysate separation via ultracentrifugation.
  • Protein purification via conventional and fast protein liquid chromatography (Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography [FPLC] generally using GE ÄKTA)
  • Protein quantification via Bradford assays
  • Analysis of protein purity via Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) followed by Coomassie Brilliant Blue staining
  • Buffer exchange via dialysis

CELL CULTURE:

  • Routine and specialized cell culture techniques including isolation of primary skin fibroblasts
  • Handling of a wide variety of primary and immortalized cells
  • Splitting / subculturing adherent cells via trypsinization
  • Cell counting using both conventional hemocytometers and automated systems (e.g. the Countess II)
  • Seeding / inoculation of plates and flasks
  • Preparation and revival of cryopreserved cells.

ANIMAL MODELS & TISSUE COLLECTION:

  • Animal husbandry responsibilities to include matings, weanings, and euthanasia
  • Collection of blood, serum and plasma from live mice
  • Blood glucose monitoring in live mice, to include during insulin / IGF-1 tolerance tests
  • Analysis of live-animal body composition via benchtop NMR (e.g. via Bruker MiniSpec)
  • Development and performance of novel PCR based genotyping procedures for genetically modified mouse lines
  • Dissection of a wide variety of mouse tissues
  • Pulverization / homogenization of tissues for subsequent RNA and protein analyses

DRUG AND INTERVENTION TESTING/DEVELOPMENT:

  • Conceive of, develop, and execute cell-culture experiments to examine drug kinetics, dynamics, interactions, serum-shift properties, and impacts upon biological pathways of interest via protein and RNA analyses (below).
  • Execution of concurrent or subsequent analyses in animal models as appropriate.

PROTEIN ANALYSIS, WESTERN & IMMUNOBLOTTING:

  • Preparation of lysates / protein extracts from cultured cells and pulverized/homogenized tissues
  • Literature and market review of available and proprietary antibodies
  • Production of dephosphorylated negative controls via treatment with lambda protein phosphatase (LPP/ λPP)
  • Optimization of extraction ratios, protein loading, and primary and secondary antibody dilution levels during development of fluorescent (e.g. via LI-COR Odyssey CLx) and chemiluminescent western blots (e.g. via Fisher iBright FL1000), and capillary electrophoresis based immunoblots (e.g. via Protein Simple Wes)
  • Quantification with ImageJ, ImageStudio, and other software, and subsequent data analysis.

RNA ANALYSIS, RT-qPCR, qRT-PCR:

  • Purification of RNA from cultured cells and pulverized/homogenized tissues using Trizol and Qiagen RNeasy kits
  • Quantification of RNA via NanoDrop or QuantIt RiboGreen assays
  • Analysis of RNA integrity via Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer
  • Generation of complementary DNA (cDNA) via several commercial reverse transcriptase (RT) kits
  • Generation of appropriate negative controls
  • Analysis of assay limit of detection, linearity and amplification efficiency
  • Measurement of cDNA abundance via SYBR Green and TaqMan / probe-based method (e.g. via an Applied Biosystems StepOnePlus) and subsequent data analysis

REGULATORY AFFAIRS:

  • Experience working in accordance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Good Laboratory Procedures (GLPs) and the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
  • Experience conducting research in accordance with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) GLPs including an ISO 13485-compliant quality management system (QMS)
  • Followed, reviewed, authored and amended Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
  • Experience working in a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL2) laboratory
  • Familiar with Health Insurance Privacy and Portability Act (HIPAA) requirements from work in university health systems
  • Performed work in support of deregulation Cargill’s Latitude Crop Product (produced in collaboration with BASF corp): https://www.cargill.com/page/latitude

VIROLOGY / BSL2:

  • Isolation of unknown but pathogenic human viruses from patient clinical samples
  • Amplification of viruses through cell culture to include examination of cytopathic effect (CPE)
  • Serotyping and titration of viruses in fixed cells via immunostaining and light microscopy
  • General procedures for safely working with such viruses in a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL2) laboratory

Other Skills:

  • Dr. Bower continues to develop a variety of skills for the benefits of both his clients and BDB LLC.
    While these skills may not be at an expert level, they may serve as useful adjuncts for a client’s project.

    • Software Development / Programming: Java, Python, SAS, C#
    • Web Development: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, web server configuration
    • Database Programming / Management: SQL, MySQL, Microsoft Access
    • Real Estate: Property record research, property acquisition, holding and resale

Professional Philosophy

Scientific and technical consulting is most effective when rigorous scientific thinking is combined with practical implementation experience. BDB LLC was founded on the principle that successful consulting extends beyond providing technical answers—it requires understanding each client’s objectives, constraints, resources, and long-term goals.


Every engagement begins by carefully defining the problem before recommending a solution. Whether supporting laboratory startup, troubleshooting an experimental workflow, evaluating a new technology, or assisting with scientific data analysis, the objective is to provide recommendations that are technically sound, practical to implement, and tailored to the unique needs of each organization.


BDB LLC emphasizes:
• Scientific rigor and evidence-based decision making
• Independent, objective technical evaluation
• Practical solutions that balance scientific excellence with operational realities
• Clear communication with technical and nontechnical stakeholders
• Collaboration, integrity, and professionalism throughout every engagement
• Continuous learning and thoughtful evaluation of emerging scientific and technological developments


Technology—including automation, advanced analytical software, and artificial intelligence—is viewed as a means of improving scientific and technical work rather than an end in itself. New tools are evaluated on their ability to improve accuracy, efficiency, reproducibility, and decision making while maintaining appropriate scientific oversight and transparency.


Ultimately, BDB LLC seeks to become a trusted long-term technical resource for its clients by delivering careful scientific analysis, practical recommendations, and dependable professional support.

Contact BDB LLC

Every consulting engagement begins with a conversation.

Whether your organization is seeking assistance with scientific consulting, laboratory development, assay design, technical evaluation, research support, data analysis, automation, software development, or another complex scientific or technical challenge, BDB LLC welcomes the opportunity to discuss your objectives and determine whether its experience can provide value.

Initial discussions are intended to understand the nature of your project, your desired outcomes, anticipated timelines, available resources, and the type of support that would be most beneficial.

Potential engagements may range from brief technical consultations and independent scientific reviews to ongoing project support and longer-term consulting relationships.

Discuss Your Project