Life Technologies Foundation awards grants for advancements in science

The Life Technologies Foundation, a non-profit arm of Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE) dedicated to advancing science education and scientific discovery, has awarded approximately $1.7 million in new grants that include the creation of an online biology textbook, and building a museum exhibit about the human cell.

The Foundation will award the five grants to seven organizations, with work to be completed over the next 18 months. These awards will bring the total amount committed by the Foundation in 2009 to approximately $5 million.

“Each of the organizations chosen for this round of grants has proposed a unique and interesting way to enhance the public’s perception of what science contributes to all our lives,” said Greg Lucier, Chairman and CEO of Life Technologies and a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. “Whether it’s through using Internet tools to communicate the basics of biology, or creating educational campaigns to inform more people about the importance of genomics, these programs will help increase scientific literacy and advance crucial scientific research.”

Grant recipients include:

• The E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, which will receive funding for its online biology textbook, Life on Earth. The Foundation will finance the prototype chapter on the division of the cell. The E.O. Wilson Foundation is dedicated to preserving and understanding biological heritage.
• PBS’ “To The Contrary”, which is partnering with the Foundation to produce a three part documentary on “DNA as a Diagnostic Tool,” addressing new DNA technologies, sequencing and the public acceptance of genomic research.
• The Miami Institute for Human Genomics, which will receive a grant to implement a multimedia campaign aimed at educating and informing the families of Black and Hispanic autism, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease patients in South Florida about genetic research. The Institute’s outreach program will be geared specifically at alerting these families about the need for participation in genomic studies.
• The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, which will create a museum exhibit on human cell biology, the importance of stem cells, and the impact of stem cell research in regenerative and personalized medicine at the Fleet Science Center, San Diego’s most heavily-visited museum.
• United for Medical Research, the Aspen Institute and the Innovation Technology & Information Foundation, which will bring opinion leaders and the media together at events that will explore issues related to the advancement of science.