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
Work Starts on Upstate MedTech Centre
6/26/2009 - BUFFALO, NY -- "A new Batavia center that focuses on the MedTech fields will bear a familiar name." [Read On...]
UB, Niagara University, Heart Center of Niagara Collaboration Makes Progess in Project Aimed at Tackling Heart Disease in WNY
6/26/2009 - BUFFALO, NY -- "A collaboration involving physicians, researchers, graduate students and undergraduate students from three prominent regional institutions is intent on improving heart health in Western New York." [Read On...]
Start-ups, Investors Mingle
6/25/2009 - BUFFALO, NY -- "Money was on the minds of most at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery as local high-tech start-up entrepreneurs." [Read On...]
Fueling High-Tech Funding Pipeline
6/24/2009 - BUFFALO, NY --
"The High-Tech Forum (was)
designed to foster networking opportunities and support for local entrepreneurs." [Read On...]
Investors Get Advice on Selling Creations
6/10/2009 - BUFFALO, NY -- "The Ph.D.s were the students Tuesday at the University at Buffalo's downtown campus." [Read On...]
Visit the News Archive
Events
June 25 - Explore Buffalo Niagara Investor and Entrepreneur High-Tech Forum
New High-Tech Ideas & Investment Opportunities... All in Buffalo Niagara! This event was a huge success! Attendees enjoyed networking with local and out-of-town high-tech industry investors, companies and others. Please click here for the full agenda and video (coming soon).
To view the complete list of events and event details, please visit our Events page
To receive periodic News & Events emails from the COE, please join our mailing list!
