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[NOTE TO EDITORS: For related announcements from other Life Sciences Corridor institutions, please contact: Sally Pobojewski, University of Michigan, (734) 647-1844 or [email protected]; Casey Wondergem, Van Andel Institute, (616) 234-5390 or [email protected]; and Julie O'Connor, Wayne State University, (313) 577-8845 or [email protected].]
12/14/00
MSU AWARDED $40.4 MILLION FROM MICHIGAN TOBACCO SETTLEMENT FOR LIFE SCIENCES CORRIDOR
EAST LANSING, Mich. - MSU scientists - working to understand structural biology, developing medical instruments and stopping food poisoning outbreaks - are among the first to receive funding under Michigan's Life Sciences Corridor.
MSU received $26 million over five years to establish a collaborative high-tech Michigan Center for Structural Biology where scientists and industry from across the state can study proteins. Another approximately $14.4 million over three years will be used on 14 research projects.
Established with $1 billion from the state's tobacco lawsuit settlement, the Life Sciences Corridor was created to invest in and promote life sciences research and business development. The state of Michigan plans to award $50 million annually for 20 years to universities, research institutes and biotechnology companies.
The initiative is administered by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. Grants were awarded Dec. 14 at a meeting in Lansing of the Life Sciences Corridor Steering Committee.
The largest Life Sciences Corridor award of $58.7 million over five years will be used to develop a network of advanced technology laboratories for use by researchers from universities, private research institutions, and biotechnology or pharmaceutical firms throughout Michigan.
These core facilities will be physically located at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Wayne State University or the Van Andel Institute, but they will be open to all Life Sciences Corridor members.
MSU will be home to one of those facilities: The Michigan Center for Structural Biology, which will bring scientists together with sophisticated state-of-the-art machinery to examine the structure and function of proteins that ultimately can bring insight into causes and cures of disease.
"This is an exciting dream being realized," said MSU President Peter McPherson. "It's bringing together some of the best science in our state, from many diverse areas, and positioning it in Michigan's healthy economic climate so great things can be accomplished. Michigan's Life Sciences Corridor is shaping up to be a superhighway of knowledge working for the good of the people."
The MEDC also approved $14.4 million funding for 14 research projects based at MSU. In keeping with the Life Sciences Corridor model of collaboration, the projects include partnerships with other universities, research institutes and businesses. They range from basic science to commercial ventures and span MSU's medical community, engineering, chemistry, plant sciences and more.
"The Life Sciences Corridor is a perfect model for how to conduct modern day, cutting-edge research," said MSU Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies Robert Huggett. "We will be collaborating with other Michigan universities and the private sector to solve the mysteries controlling the life and well being of plants, animals and humans. It will definitely lead to more jobs, more businesses and a better quality of life for Michigan's citizens. Michigan State is proud to be a major part of this effort."
Here are brief summaries of MSU's projects:
Infrastructure
The Michigan Center for Structural Biology
While much attention is given to biotechnology as it relates to genes, it is the product of genes, the proteins, that determines the root of many diseases.
The Michigan Center for Structural Biology will be equipped to study protein structure and function at many levels to understand how specific proteins work, and to identify defective proteins that may cause disease, said Jack Preiss, an MSU professor of biochemistry and molecular biology who is the co-principal investigator of the project, with Professor Shelagh Ferguson-Miller of the same department.
"The main products of genes are proteins, and the basis of disease is often a defective protein," Preiss said. "Many of the diseases that afflict the aging population are due to altered in proteins. Therefore, it is very important to study proteins and yet very difficult. That is the reason we require all this sophisticated instrumentation to analyze them."
The center, which will be based at MSU, but also involves major collaborative efforts with U of M, WSU and the Van Andel Research Institute, will be equipped with a state-of-the-art 900 MHz NMR spectrometer. Beam lines also will be constructed for x-ray analysis of protein structure at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois. This instrumentation will be accessible to all Michigan academic institutions and companies.
MSU Research Proposals
Proposal 1713:Confocal Microscopy for Neuroscience and Toxicology: A compact laser scanning confocal microscope will be purchased and set up to allow researchers to study in three dimensions how living cells function. MSU's partner in this project is the Dow Chemical Co. of Midland. Project leader: William Atchison, professor of pharmacology and toxicology, an expert on how chemicals affect the human nervous system.
Funding: $231,174
Proposal 1711:Tailoring Polyclycolides for Advanced Biomedical Applications: This proposal seeks to improve upon the materials that are used for sutures, staples and other common medical procedures. Specifically, researchers will study alternatives that could stimulate tissue growth. Project leader: Gregory Baker, associate professor of chemistry, whose areas of expertise include polymer science and organic chemistry.
Funding: $489,820
Proposal 1502:Foodborne Outbreak Early Detection System: This project is intended to develop software for a web-based system for use by local health departments to identify and control foodborne disease. It's estimated that nearly one-third of Michigan residents is affected by a foodborne illness every year. Partnering with MSU are Syntel Inc.; the Michigan departments of Agriculture and Community Health; and the Ingham County Health Department. Project leader: Paul Bartlett, a nationally recognized expert in epidemiology who is in MSU's National Food Safety and Toxicology Center.
Funding: $602,577
Proposal 1551:New Bioactive Metabolites from Arachidonic Acid: This project will study fatty acid metabolites, substances that are involved in a number of physiological functions within the human body. By studying the chemistry and pharmacology of these substances, it's hoped that a better understanding of their function and significance will emerge. Project leader: Babak Borhan, assistant professor of chemistry.
Funding: $530,576
Proposal 1643:Oxygenation by Liquid Infusion in Medicine/Environment: The goal of this project is to develop and improve methods of delivery of oxygen by liquid infusion. This will, in turn, improve treatments for oxygen-deprived tissue. MSU's partners in this project are Wayne State University and DynamOx Inc. Project leader: Giles Brereton, associate professor of mechanical engineering, whose diverse areas of expertise include cardiovascular processes and internal combustion engine flow processes.
Funding: $1.7 million
Proposal 1558:Biomarkers of Air Pollution-Mediated Respiratory Disease: This project will enhance a study that is using a mobile laboratory to monitor air pollutants and conduct inhalation studies. Specifically, MSU and partners from the University of Michigan are studying air pollutants that could increase the risk of asthma in high-risk populations such as children and the elderly. Project leader: Jack Harkema, professor of veterinary pathology who also directs CARE - Collaborative Air Research Effort - a project that uses the state-of-the-art mobile lab to measure air pollution levels.
Funding: $2.1 million
Proposal 1597:Applied Chemical Ecology for Pest Management Alternatives: The goal of this project is to identify plant target genes that will allow researchers to develop natural alternatives to pesticides currently in use. MSU's partner in this project is the University of Michigan. Project leader: Gregg Howe, assistant professor in the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory.
Funding: $1 million
Proposal 1800:DNA Replication Proteins for Targeted Drug Discovery: Looking at the process of DNA replication as it pertains to diseases such as cancer and HIV to ultimately develop more effective drugs. MSU's partners in this project are the University of Michigan and Parke-Davis Co. Project leader: Jon Kaguni, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology.
Funding: $660,000
Proposal 1797:Signaling Pathways in Control of Aflatoxin Biosynthesis: Aflatoxins are carcinogenic substances that are a serious threat to many crops, including corn, wheat, peanuts and tree nuts. The goal is to come up with new strategies that would prevent the aflatoxins from reproducing. MSU's partner in this project is Wayne State University. Project leader: John Linz, a professor in MSU's departments of food science and human nutrition and microbiology
Funding: $393,737
Proposal 1677:Bio-active Molecules via Catalytic Organometallics: There are a number of effective anti-cancer drugs available, but many have toxic side effects. This project seeks to conduct basic research that will lead to the development of drugs that are more effective, less toxic and less costly. Project leader: Robert Maleczka, assistant professor of chemistry.
Funding: $266,210
Proposal 1518:Human Pancreatic Stem Cells for Diabetes Treatment: Researchers will attempt to isolate human pancreatic stem cells, that can be used to produce insulin to develop new treatments for diabetes. MSU's partner in this project is the McLaren Regional Medical Center and the Parke-Davis Co. Project leader: Lawrence Olson, assistant professor of physiology.
Funding: $448,609
Proposal 1619:Michigan Life Sciences Universities Commercialization Initiative: This project will work to create the infrastructure needed to expand life science start-up companies in Michigan. MSU, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University will come together to enhance existing resources and build upon its already strong relationships. Also taking part will be Western Michigan University and MBI International of Lansing. Project leader: Bradley Shaw, licensing and marketing manager in MSU's Office of Intellectual Property and an adjunct professor in The Eli Broad College of Business.
Funding: $4.7 million
Proposal 1525:Structures of Physiologic Complexes of Proteins: A better understanding of the process of blood coagulation is the goal of this project. Researchers will use X-ray crystallography to look at the structural aspects of molecules in relation to blood coagulation with an eye on new generations of highly effective drug therapies. Project leader: Alexander Tulinsky, University Distinguished Professor of chemistry who is internationally known for his work in determining the structures of highly complex molecules involved in blood coagulation.
Funding: $442,092
Proposal 1592:Molecular Genetics of Blood Pressure Regulations by Sensory Nerves: Nearly 50 million Americans suffer from hypertension, a disease that can lead to congestive heart failure, renal failure and stroke, yet the molecular basis for this disease remains unknown. By integrating molecular genetics, neuroscience, and cardiovascular physiology and pharmacology, this project will strive to solve that mystery. Project leader: Donna Wang, professor of medicine and leading authority of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
Funding: $796,082
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