UB Center for Advanced Technology in Biomedical and Bioengineering

Mission

The State University of New York at Buffalo Center for Advanced Biomedical and Bioengineering Technology (UB CAT) supports university-industry collaboration in research, education and technology transfer, with a strong focus on helping New York State-based businesses gain a technological edge on their competition. Operating under the auspices of the New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research (NYSTAR) , the UB CAT is fueling continued growth in some of the most promising technologies of tomorrow and in some of the most important sectors of the state's economy. The UB CAT operates within the New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics & Life Sciences (CoE) under the leadership of Dr. Bruce A. Holm, Executive Director of the CoE and Senior Vice Provost at UB and Dr. Esther Takeuchi, Professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Electrical Engineering, UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

The UB CAT, one of fifteen such Centers for Advanced Technology located across the state, focuses on biomedical and bioengineering research that can lead to development of useful products with commercial potential. By accelerating science and technology transfer, the UB CAT fosters the creation of new biotech start-up companies and helps existing biomedical businesses expand through new or improved product lines. The lines of communication between translational researchers and those involved in commercialization of life sciences products and services are opened and supported through the UB CAT program on behalf of improving the health and well-being of the population and driving economic development.

Areas of Expertise

The UB CAT will consider for funding any biomedical technology or bioengineering device with application in the medical field that can ultimately enhance the clinical care of patients or aid in the training of medical personnel.

Areas of expertise for the UB CAT include:

• bioengineering
• bioimaging
• bioinformatics
• cardiovascular disease
• disease modeling
• epidemiology
• genomics
• high performance computing
• immunotherapy
• infectious disease
• neurodegenerative disease
• oncology
• ontology
• oral biology
• structural biology
• pharmacology
• proteomics

Our expertise is leveraged with a particular focus on creating products and services in the following life sciences industry sectors: biotechnology, biomedical informatics, diagnostics, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and research & development.

Project Funding & Support

Projects are selected for CAT funding based on scientific and technical merit and potential economic impact. Additionally, projects require a cash contribution from a New York-based company. According to NYSTAR regulations, corporate sponsorship is a prerequisite for funding. Funding--up to $150,000--can be awarded to a project with matching corporate sponsor funds at a 5:1ratio (i.e. 5 corporate dollars for every NYSTAR dollar). A typical CAT grant is in the $20,000 to $50,000 range. More information on funding and matching fund guidelines is provided within the CAT application. Hand-in-hand with funding, the UB CAT also provides R&D resources and business development assistance, workforce development programming, and other outreach and networking opportunities. Visit www.bioinformatics.buffalo.edu for an updated programming and events schedule

Application

A request for proposals has been issued for the 2008-2009 funding year. If you are a researcher or entrepreneur who needs assistance with research and development, related business development, and project funding, please download the UB CAT Project Application. Project applications are due by May 31, 2008. Note that all projects are subject to State University of New York intellectual property policies.

Applications are reviewed on an annual basis typically for funding starting July 1st or after, although the program may at times accept submissions on a rolling basis. Projects are reviewed by the UB CAT Industrial Advisory Board in the selection process.

For more information, contact:

Marnie LaVigne, Ph.D.
UB CAT Deputy Director
at (716) 881-8904
or lavigne2@buffalo.edu