The Center for Biotechnology (CFB) at Stony Brook University has established the Biotechnology Commercialization Fund to accelerate the development of promising biomedical technologies emerging from Stony Brook University. Created with support from the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology, and Innovation (NYSTAR) and the Office of the Vice President for Research at Stony Brook University, the Fund will immediately help develop six technologies in partnership with researchers University-wide.
These projects, selected for support by an independent panel of industry and academic advisors, encompass a wide range of technologies with total funding reaching $456,000 for 2011. Overall, the projects center on the discovery of new diagnostics and therapeutics in areas such as musculoskeletal diseases, metabolic and cognitive disorders, cancer, burn injuries, inflammatory diseases, and other medical conditions.
"The establishment of the Biotechnology Commercialization Fund will be a catalyst to ensuring that groundbreaking biomedical research taking place at Stony Brook University advances with the ultimate goal to reach patients with better diagnostics and therapeutics," says Clinton T. Rubin, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor, Chair, Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Director, Center for Biotechnology.
Dr. Rubin expects that with New York State's emerging bioscience industry, the CFB's expertise in translating basic biomedical sciences into diagnostic and therapeutic technologies will continue to grow. He also says that the Fund will help build CFB's collaborative efforts with NYSTAR, Stony Brook University, and regional research institutions, to fuel biomedical research on a larger scale and enrich the economy of New York State.
Established in 1983, the CFB was one of the first university-based "proof of concept" centers in the country and has contributed to the development of more than a dozen commercially available products with cumulative sales exceeding $1 billion.
To learn more about the projects and the Bioscience Technology Commercialization Fund, go to the CFB's website at Centerforbiotechnlogy.org. Here is a summary of the first round of projects supported by the Fund:
New Cytokine and MMP Inhibitors: A Novel Class of Compound
The objective is the development of a series of compounds for the treatment of collagen-destructive and inflammatory diseases.
Investigators: Lorne M. Golub, D.M.D., MSc, M.D. (Honorary), Distinguished Professor, Oral Biology & Pathology, and Francis Johnson, Ph.D., Professor, Chemistry and Pharmacological Sciences
Treatment of Musculoskeletal, Metabolic and Cognitive Disorders through the Mechanical Control of Adult Stem Cell Fate
A non-drug strategy utilizing low intensity vibration (LIV) to restore and accelerate the recovery of the Adult Stem Cell progenitor population. Potential applications include diabetes, bone marrow disorders and cognitive dysfunction. The technology is already under development by Marodyne Medical for the treatment of osteoporosis.
Investigator: Clinton T. Rubin, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor & Chair, Department of Biomedical Engineering
Microfluidics for Single Cell Genomics
A new single cell gene expression analysis allowing for a better understanding of the individual cellular components of different groups of cells (tumors, brain tissue, etc.) and how genes in individual cells play a role during stem cell differentiation. Such an approach could lead to methods for early cancer diagnostics and cancer treatment monitoring.
Investigators: Helmut Strey, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, and Eric Brouzes, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering,
A Lead Drug Molecule for the Treatment of Osteoporosis and Fractures
The development of an algorithmically derived bioactive peptide for the treatment of osteoporosis and fractures.
Investigators: Srinivas Pentyala, Ph.D., Department of Anesthesiology; Michael Hadjiargyrou, Ph.D., Department of Biomedical Engineering, and David Komatsu, Ph.D., Department of Orthopedics
PLO-collagenase for Debridement of Partial Thickness Burn Injury
Burns which extend to the deep dermis require special medical treatment, since healing cannot occur until the denatured collagen is removed. This non-surgical agent for wound debridement has been shown to have increased performance levels over formulations currently on the market. Additional testing will be done in vivo.
Investigators: Marcia Simon, M.A., Ph.D., Professor and Director for Graduate Studies, Oral Biology & Pathology, and Harry S. Soroff, M.D., Professor Emeritus of Surgery
Manipulation of Microbiome for Axillary Odor
The objective of this project is to apply the established platform technology of manipulating bacterial populations to achieve therapeutic benefits in the development of natural personal care products. New formulations and delivery systems will be developed for commercial use.
Investgator: Israel Kleinberg, D.D.S., Ph.D., D.Sc., F.R.C.D (C), Distinguished Professor and Director, Division of Translational Oral Biology, Department of Oral Biology and Pathology.
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