> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.researchhub.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.researchhub.com/welcome/the-problem/infrastructural-deficiencies/limitations-of-physical-laboratories.md). # Limitations of physical laboratories The academic institution was initially formed as a conduit to bring together people to learn and share knowledge. Much of the utility of the traditional laboratory setting was due to its ability to unite scholars who were interested in collaborating within the same field of study. There would be nothing inherently limiting about the traditional laboratory in a world where collaboration took precedence over competition. Unfortunately, the incentive structure of the current scientific economy causes the laboratory to act as a physical silo that limits the sharing of ideas, criticisms, and resources. A study in the U.K. found that the average biological sciences laboratory contains six members. Assuming ideal communication between the members of a lab, this means that any methodology proposed, experimental data gathered, or conclusion drawn would only receive the pre-publication feedback and criticisms of six people on a day-to-day basis. In addition, underfunded laboratories do not have access to the scientific instruments of larger institutions. These instruments are not in use 100% of the time, but there is little infrastructure to facilitate larger institutions renting instrument time to smaller research groups. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.researchhub.com/welcome/the-problem/infrastructural-deficiencies/limitations-of-physical-laboratories.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.