The parallels to Github for code distribution and re-use cannot be overlooked ;)<p>Addgene also works with another Cambridge nonprofit called Seeding Labs. They take donations in the form of scientific equipment, lab services and expertise and then distribute around the world. Following a "local problems are best solved locally" approach.<p>The power of a model that is not only open but "shared" seems to replicate itself organically. To scientists, a distributed workflow comes quite naturally!<p><a href="https://seedinglabs.org/" rel="nofollow">https://seedinglabs.org/</a>
I used to order lots of plasmids from Addgene when I worked in bioscience -- it's an awesome service. The plasmids are hugely cheaper than anything you can order from a for-profit supplier, and it lets scientists easily share and remix each other's work.