History of Discovery
The Buffalo Niagara region has a rich history of discovery in life sciences that is sometimes not known to those outside and even within the region. A major source of the world-renowned innovation comes from our longstanding research institutions. For example, Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI), one of the CoE partners, was the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center and is even today is one of only 41 National Cancer Institute designated comprehensive cancer care centers in the United States. RPCI instituted the nation's first chemotherapy program, pioneered studies on the relationship between smoking and lung cancer and developed photodynamic therapy (PDT) and the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.
Similarly, Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute (HWI), another CoE partner, is home to Nobel Prize Laureate Dr. Herbert Hauptman, who is recognized for his groundbreaking work in x-ray crystallography, a technique used in determination of molecular structures important for research in areas such as drug development. With more than 100 academic departments and programs, the CoE’s lead institution, University at Buffalo, has a breadth of inventions across life sciences disciplines, including timed-release insulin therapy, surfactant therapy for treating premature babies and nicotine replacement therapy, just to name a few. Beyond these world-class institutions, the entrepreneurial spirit has been alive in the private sector as well, with one of the best known local inventions being the cardiac pacemaker, developed by Mr. Wilson Greatbatch.
Life Sciences Discoveries in Buffalo Niagara
- Cardiac pacemaker
- 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 for structure determination
- Timed-Release Insulin Therapy
- PKU Test
- Artificial blood
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
September 23, 2008 - MedTech08 Biosciences Summit
Growing, Changing, Booming: Adapting healthcare to the needs of an aging population. Join us at The Lodge in Skaneateles NY for this exciting daylong event packed with industry leaders sharing their strategies for successfully adapting to the aging boomer demographic. To learn more and register, Click here
October 27-28, 2008 - AACR Centennial Symposium
Roswell Park Cancer Institute is hosting the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Centennial Symposium, entitled “The Future of Cancer Research: Science and Patient Impact”, this fall. To learn more and register, Click here.
To view the complete list of events and event details, please visit our Events page
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