Photo by Thomas Griffin

The research center will be housed in Rensselaer’s new Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, which is currently under construction on the Troy campus.

Funding for the Center for Bioengineering and Medicine will come from the Senate’s Gen*NY*sis biotechnology economic development program that was included in the 2002-03 state budget. Gen*NY*sis stands for Generating Employment through New York Science.

The Gen*NY*sis grant will support essential infrastructure, including laboratory equipment and facilities within the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, and augment Rensselaer’s fundamental research in accelerated drug discovery and synthesis; biosensors and monitoring; and tissue repair and replacement.

“This award of $22.5 million by New York state greatly strengthens Rensselaer’s ability to conduct biotechnology research in the national interest,” said President Shirley Ann Jackson. “Given the advances in biomedicine and the public need for sustained and aggressive research to cure disease and to protect us from the threat of bioterrorism, this is a major step forward for Rensselaer, New York state, and the Capital Region.”

“Rensselaer’s scientific and technical capabilities in these areas will be a catalyst for the growth of the biotechnology industry in the region and will attract new companies to move here,” she added. “Rensselaer, through its nationally acclaimed Incubator Center and Technology Park, will directly support this growth. It is projected that the Gen*NY*sis Center for Bioengineering and Medicine will result in a significant increase in highly skilled employees and high-paying jobs in the Capital Region.”