Ulhas Naik, professor of biological sciences at UD, makes a presentation at the Life Science Professionals event.

Scientists, engineers gather

Life Science Professionals event features information on Delaware Bioscience CAT

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11:48 a.m., Aug. 29, 2012--The Delaware Biotechnology Institute (DBI) at the University of Delaware teamed up with the Delaware BioScience Association (Delaware Bio) to serve more than 65 scientists, engineers and post-docs during a recent Life Science Professionals event.

The function created the opportunity for academic and industry leaders to meet and build partnerships with others within their field, and provided information on the Delaware Bioscience Center for Advanced Technology (Bioscence CAT) housed at DBI. The deadline for the next round of Bioscience CAT proposals is at 5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 14. For details, see the website.

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Lauren Seiple of Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, chair of the Life Science Professionals program, set the tone for the evening by using humor to break the ice.

And she said, “The Life Science Professionals events are a wonderful opportunity for young scientists and engineers from across the state of Delaware to expand their professional networks in a friendly, welcoming environment. Partnering with the Bioscience CAT gave us a glimpse of some of the cutting edge research that is taking place in Delaware and highlighted opportunities for those in academia to partner with members of industry and foster innovation here in the First State.”

John Koh, UD professor of chemistry and biochemistry and associate director at DBI, kicked off the evening with a warm welcome and explanation of the CAT program.

He referred to the evening’s presentations as “speed dating for scientists,” and presenters were reminded that they had one minute to present their project with their single slide. This format captured the audience’s attention and made for both a lighthearted and productive occasion.

“The Bioscience CAT program provides a grant mechanism that is funded by the state of Delaware to help accelerate research in both academia and industry to support economic development,” said Koh. 

Yli Remo Vallejo, senior vice president of research and development at ANP Technologies, Inc., showcased his company’s focus on immunogenicity and biodefense. 

“In this difficult period of limited funding and slow growth, the CAT program is a valuable force multiplier for Delaware research scientists and Delaware biotech companies, especially small ones such as our company, ANP Technologies. The program enables innovative ideas to develop into Delaware-invented products made by our skilled Delaware workforce,” said Vallejo.

One of the last presenters of the evening, Jennifer Sims-Mourtada, senior research scientist at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center at Christiana Care, represented the academic side of the life science field and the growing requirements for partnerships. 

“We are interested in collaborations with companies seeking to develop new biomarkers, to predict tumor response to therapy, or agents to detect or inhibit cancer stem cells/circulating tumor cells,” she said.

The event was made possible by Life Science Professionals sponsor RatnerPrestia and DBI.

On Oct. 25, Delaware Bio will celebrate the two-year anniversary of the Life Science Professionals event, which will be held at Nemours. 

About Delaware Bioscience CAT 

The Bioscience Center for Advanced Technology (CAT) synergizes efforts among the academic and industrial community to address the technology innovation gap and promote economic development in Delaware. The Bioscience CAT links researchers in Delaware institutions with Delaware bioscience companies with the goal of investing in the bioscience community to ensure Delaware competes on the world stage in biotechnology innovation.

The Bioscience CAT has three key components, supported by the State of Delaware: a grant program, an access program, and an annual symposium.

About Delaware Biotechnology Institute

The Delaware Biotechnology Institute is a partnership among government, academia and industry to help establish the First State as a center of excellence in biotechnology and the life sciences. The Institute mission is to facilitate a biotechnology network of people and facilities to enhance existing academic and private-sector research, catalyze unique cross-disciplinary research and education initiatives, and to foster the entrepreneurship that creates high-quality jobs. 

About RatnerPrestia

RatnerPrestia’s practice is devoted exclusively to intellectual property law.  With extensive and diverse legal, technical and corporate backgrounds, its professionals provide practical, cost-effective, business-oriented counseling to a wide range of international and domestic clients.  It also represents clients in essentially all courts and patent and trademark offices.  RatnerPrestia is a full service IP firm with a 30 year proven track record of success.

About Delaware BioScience Association

Delaware Bio is a non-profit trade association that serves its members and the State of Delaware by collaborating with other local businesses and organizations to advance the growth of the bioscience industry in Delaware and the region. 

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