By Vinny Reda

One of the goals of the University�s incubator program is to build linkages between University researchers and the companies in the program. The NIH grant for the University�s new Mutant Mouse Regional Resource Center demonstrates the success of this strategy, according to Eugene K. Schuler, director of technology development at UAlbany�s East Campus in East Greenbush. "The University�s industrial partner, Taconic Biotechnology, Inc., receives funding and new business, while the University receives grant funding and an ability to engage in a new area of research," Schuler said.

"We fully anticipate the Center will allow us to make our research more competitive with anyone else�s in the nation," said Al Millis, co-director of the Center for Comparative Functional Genomics (CCFG). "It allows us to take our work to the next stage. My own studies on the basic science of cardiac disease will be furthered by being able to identify and isolate molecules critical to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease."

Millis anticipates that the Center will aid not only University biologists, but researchers in chemistry, psychology, computer sciences, and other fields. "We think it will move a lot of people�s work along toward getting outstanding research grants. And the work and cooperation will also prepare the University for the new Life Sciences Building," he said. "There will be at least 20 new faculty working over there, and this is the kind of research they will be doing."

His colleague, Center Co-director Paulette McCormick, points out that "our vision is to make research at our University and in the Capital Region more productive and competitive. Before, not only didn�t we have these facilities, but RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic Instititute) didn�t have these facilities, Albany Medical College didn�t. The Center for Comparative Functional Genomics serves as a nucleating facility for all scientists in the Capital Region."

UAlbany Vice President for Research Christopher D�Elia agrees. "By pooling resources and working together, institutions in the Capital Region can establish a world-class genomics research collaborative. Our combined capacity and excellence will enable us to compete with more established and larger research centers elsewhere. We see the Center for Comparative Functional Genomics playing a substantial role in fostering this interinstitutional collaboration."

Students, too, will benefit. "At the University, it will mean that, one, we recruit better graduate students; two, we can accelerate their gene sequencing by having them sent over to the labs � some 300 sequences per day can be performed with our capillary technology; and three, there will now be tutorials, where grad students come to the Center and train at the facilities here."

UAlbany's East Campus

The Center also dramatically furthers a key University objective. "The East Campus was established to foster the growth of the biotech industry in the Capital Region," said Schuler. "The Mutant Mouse Center and the Center for Comparative Functional Genomics provide an attraction for biotech companies to start up or move to this area. The facilities and services offered by both centers are unique in upstate New York and, therefore, a crucial part of the economic diversification strategy of the University."

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