New agreement strengthens work in life sciences
ON THE GREEN | A recent partnership agreement focused on the life sciences is designed to combine the strengths of the Fraunhofer Center for Molecular Biotechnology (CMB) in applied translational research and of UD in basic research.
Officials said they expect the partnership to lead to the development of innovative, interdisciplinary programs and create educational and economic benefits for the state.
“By translating basic discoveries into clinical and commercial applications, the combined strengths of the two institutions could lead to significant economic benefit for Delaware and the region,” says Delaware Gov. Jack Markell.
UD has established a strong complement of life sciences core instrumentation centers, many of them located at the Delaware Biotechnology Institute, adjacent to CMB. These centers include state-of-the-art facilities for bioimaging, sequencing and genotyping, proteomics, bioinformatics and other specialties.
“Together, we are formalizing a partnership that has been growing steadily for more than a decade,” University President Patrick Harker says. “UD and Fraunhofer will join our respective and complementary technological capabilities and scientific expertise to further our joint goals—providing a safer, healthier nation and world, as well as jobs for the local economy, and establishing Delaware as a leader in life sciences.”
CMB conducts research and development in plant biotechnology, using new technologies to advance products for infectious disease and autoimmune disorders in humans. The center houses nearly 90 researchers.
