Science and Technology Advanced Research Laboratories, usually shortened to S.T.A.R. Labs, was a research organization founded by a scientist named Garrison Slate, who wanted a nationwide chain of research laboratories unconnected to the government or any business interests.[citation needed] He succeeded not only on a national scale, but an international one as well: S.T.A.R. Labs maintained facilities in Canada, Europe, Australia, and Japan as well as in the United States, with the total number of facilities numbering between twenty and thirty at last recorded count.
Lex Luthor has attempted to buy out S.T.A.R. on at least one occasion. The technology used to maintain Cyborg's mechanical parts comes from S.T.A.R. Labs. These parts were also used to create cybernetic enhancements for Ron Evers.
The central branch in Metropolis is most likely one of the more recognizable branches, due to its connection with Superman and the various supervillains they hold. During the Armageddon 2001 event, the Metropolis branch was destroyed in the fight between Captain Atom and Monarch, but as since been rebuilt. As well, S.T.A.R. Labs offered help during the time the Sun-Eater extinguished the sun.
Locations: A partial list of some known locations of S.T.A.R. Labs facilities and their research focuses where known includes:
■Austin, Texas (Silicone Hills): specializing in A.I., genetics, and metahuman studies.[citation needed]
■Central City, Missouri[citation needed]
■Chicago, Illinois: specializing in research and technology[citation needed]
■Gotham City: specializing in weaponry[citation needed]
■Keystone City, Kansas[citation needed]
■Los Angeles, California: specializing in genetics and disease control[citation needed]
■Melbourne, Australia[citation needed]
■Metropolis (Queensland Park Borough, near Metropolis Harbor): specializing in marine biology[citation needed]
■Metropolis (central branch, New Troy Island): catch-all facility, often seen as a temporary holding area for captured supervillains, as research is made on how to contain them.[citation needed]
■New York City: specializing in research and technology[citation needed]
■Phoenix, Arizona: specializing in meteorology and natural disasters[citation needed]
■Salt Lake City, Utah: [1]
■San Diego, California: specializing in chemical research[citation needed]
■San Francisco, California: specializing in studying meta-humans[citation needed]
■Seattle, Washington: specializing in studying psychology and psionics.[citation needed]
■Wichita, Kansas: specializing in computer engineering[citation needed]
Among the dismantled or otherwise inactive facilities:
■Detroit, Michigan: specializing in physics research. Shut down in 2004
[Info from DC Comics Database]
Jinx whispered back to Tim, "Not sure. Looks like we have a costume working on an injured guard. Not sure what caused the explosion. I didn't pick up any rads on the meter. Also, nothing so far as chemical or biologic agents.... unless they were stored here and weren't here when the explosion occured."