The New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics & Life Sciences (COE) was created in Buffalo, New York in 2002 as part of more than $200 million dollars in investment from state, federal, industry and philanthropic sources to create a hub of life sciences expertise and innovation in Upstate New York. The COE brings a strong foundation in life sciences research and discovery to its mission and collaborative efforts with industry, government and researchers around the world to improve the health and well-being of the population. COE research institutions have been around for more than 100 years with the University at Buffalo (UB) as the lead academic organization, and Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute as research partners.
The rich history of discovery among scientists at CoE research institutions include:
- BAC Libraries for Sequencing the Human Genome
- Platinum Coil for Inoperable cranial Aneurysms
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test
- Surfactant Replacement Therapy for Neonatal Respiratory Distress
- Photodynamic Therapy for Cancer
- Beta-Interferon Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy
- Sickle Cell Screening Test
- High-Throughput Crystallization Method
- Timed-Release Insulin Therapy
The COE and its research partners are completing the process of moving into 400,000 square feet of state-of-the-art research facilities in three new interconnected buildings, known as the Buffalo Life Sciences Complex, on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, which is a thriving area of clinical, research and academic operations employing over 8,000 people daily. The COE includes over 100 scientists with biological, physical and computational expertise engaged in interdisciplinary translational research with COE collaborators.
CENTER OF EXCELLENCE HIGHLIGHT
New Center for Protein Therapeutics Formed by UB Pharmaceutical Scientists
07/15/2008 - BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Pharmaceutical researchers at the University at Buffalo have joined forces with scientists from several of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies to tackle fundamental research questions that need to be answered to advance development of promising protein-based drugs. Their research will be carried out in the Center for Protein Therapeutics, which began its work July 1. The center was brought to fruition by Joseph Balthasar, Ph.D., professor of pharmaceutical sciences, and William Jusko, Ph.D., UB Distinguished Professor and chair of pharmaceutical sciences in the UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
In addition to conducting basic research, faculty affiliated with the center, headquartered in UB's New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, will train the scientists needed to build an intellectual infrastructure in this developing field. "This kind of research is so important," said Balthasar, "because over the next 10 years, 50 percent of the new drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are expected to be based on protein therapeutics." Balthasar and Jusko brought together a consortium of scientists from Merck, Pfizer, Lilly, Roche and Genentech, who agreed to create a $1 million pot of money for research. [Read On...]
FEATURED RESEARCHERS
Joseph Balthasar, Ph.D.
Director of Center for Protein Therapeutics, Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Dr. Balthasar's research, which is funded by the National Institutes of Health, utilizes pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analyses to guide the development of new therapies. Current research focuses on the development of drug targeting strategies to improve the selectivity of cancer chemotherapy and on the development of new immunotherapies for the treatment of humoral autoimmune diseases.
William Jusko , Ph.D.
Professor and Chairman of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Dr. Jusko's research program involves theoretical, mechanistic, and in vivo studies of the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacogenomics of various drugs including corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, and biotech products such as erythropoietin.
News
Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus to Revamp Trico Site
07/19/2008 - BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Armed with a $4.5 million cash transfusion, the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus is pushing ahead with a key physical expansion. Patrick Whelan, BNMC chief operating officer, said funding approved last week by the Empire State Development Corp. will aid a $12 million effort to turn a portion of the former Trico windshield wiper plant into a high-tech innovation center...[Read On...]
Quantum Rod System May Safely 'Sneak' Drugs, Diagnostics into Brain
07/16/2008 - BUFFALO, N.Y. --
A unique nanoparticle system developed by University at Buffalo scientists takes advantage of the versatility of bioconjugated quantum rods to ferry novel diagnostic and therapeutic agents across the blood-brain barrier, according to recent in vitro findings. Described in a paper published in Bioconjugate Chemistry, the system uses the rod-shaped semiconductor nanoparticles that are bioconjugated, or coupled, with biomolecules capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier...[Read On...]
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Events
Fall 2008 - Life Science Commercialization Lecture Series
Join us this fall for our monthly Life Sciences Commercialization Lecture Series presentation. Hear the latest developments in the technology commercialization efforts growing the region’s life sciences economy. Specific program content topics will be announced in the coming weeks...Click here.
Fall 2008 - Beakers 'n Beer
Come join researchers, entrepreneurs, and medical professionals from the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus for food and networking. Invite friends to this FREE event! Refreshments will include beer and chicken wings. For details on dates and locations please Click here.
To view the complete list of events and event details, please visit our Events page
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