ATCC-U.Va. Collaboration to Foster Biotech Discovery
March 15 2012 - 12:59PM
Business Wire
ATCC, the premier biological materials resource and standards
organization, and the University of Virginia, the commonwealth's
flagship research university, have announced an innovative
partnership to fund postdoctoral research in the biosciences.
Launching today, the agreement leverages the leading biomedical
sciences and biotechnology capabilities of both institutions to
offer high-quality training and opportunities for postdoctoral
fellows. As part of the partnership, ATCC will award full financial
support to selected fellows to develop technologies and tools
relevant to cell biology, microbiology, and genomics research.
“This agreement exemplifies our commitment to support
translational research by sponsoring a unique partnership with
U.Va.,” said Brian A. Pollok, PhD, president of ATCC. “Through this
Fellowship Program, our institutions will together provide
postdoctoral fellows with the opportunity to work at the interface
between academic and industrial R&D.”
The partnership will fund six, two-year postdoctoral
fellowships, with the first three fellowships beginning this
summer. Fellows will spend a minimum of nine months initiating
their research project at U.Va. facilities and then devote up to 15
months at ATCC's laboratories to complete their work. A primary
outcome for these fellowships will be the application of novel
technology to create desired tools for life scientists and to
publish on the associated results.
“Through this strategic partnership with ATCC, we are able to
provide U.Va. researchers with incredibly valuable training – in
industry as well as the academic setting – that will serve them
throughout their careers,” said W. Mark Crowell, executive director
of U.Va. Innovation and associate vice president for research at
U.Va. “The University is proud to partner with one of Virginia’s
largest biotechnology companies to provide excellent opportunities
to our fellows and to foster discovery and new-product development
in this important space.”
“Virginia’s biotechnology and life sciences sector is growing
and we believe these industries can help drive the Commonwealth’s
economy in the future,” said Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling.
“With our concerted efforts in bolstering collaboration between our
universities and the private sector, ATCC and University of
Virginia’s new partnership is welcome news. Biotechnology and life
sciences are a perfect fit for Virginia, as our state boasts a
world-class network of health care facilities, academic research
facilities and pharmaceutical companies. I congratulate ATCC and
U.Va. on this venture and have every confidence in its ability to
further advance Virginia in the biotechnology and life sciences
sector.”
Fellowship candidates will submit research proposals in
accordance with the request for proposals developed by an oversight
committee comprising an equal number of representatives from U.Va.
and ATCC. Selected fellows will have two sponsors, a faculty member
from U.Va. and an ATCC staff scientist, who will jointly direct and
advise the fellow for the duration of the research project.
Interested candidates and faculty can access the request for
proposals at the following URL:
http://innovation.virginia.edu/partner/profiles/atcc
ABOUT ATCC
Since 1925, ATCC has operated as an independent, non-profit
entity that has helped life science organizations and academic
institutions produce innovations that have benefited humankind:
creating life saving vaccines, nutritional improvements, cancer
research breakthroughs, and safer, more effective medications. With
distribution to more than 140 countries and a working relationship
with 12 distribution partners, ATCC has the experience, knowledge,
rigor, tradition and the global reach to serve academic
institutions, government agencies, biotech, biopharma, and research
organizations around the world.
For more information, visit www.atcc.org.
ABOUT U.VA. INNOVATION
U.Va. Innovation maximizes the impact of University of Virginia
research discoveries by creating opportunities for University
innovators and partners to advance these discoveries to the global
community.
For more information, visit http://innovation.virginia.edu.