Center for Integrated Biotechnology
Selected Research Program Descriptions

Below are short descriptions of specific research programs and groups of investigators. Examples of biotechnology applications and research impact for several different disciplines are included.

Plant Biotechnology: A large group of investigators work in the area of plant molecular and cellular biology. Specific research projects are designed to identify unique plant products that can be used for human therapeutics (e.g. chemotherapy), and development of agricultural crops with improved nutritional benefits and increased disease resistance. A plant systems biology approach is used to understand the plant from the genomics to physiological level. The basic application of this research program is in the areas of agriculture and human health.

Reproductive Biology: A large group of investigators have integrated research projects in the area of reproductive biology. This involves a wide variety of species from insects to humans. The application of molecular and cellular information to a physiological level is used to address areas such as infertility and reproductive cancers. Examples of specific research projects include a testis biology group to identify novel male contraceptive and fertility agents and a fish reproduction group to identify reproductive problems that have impacted the endangered salmon populations. A reproductive toxicology group investigates the effects of environmental toxins on a variety of species. Basic research in reproduction is applied to address human health and environmental issues.

Bioengineering: A group of engineers and biologists have integrated to utilize bioengineering solutions for a variety of biological problems. Specific research programs include the use of material sciences to develop improved biomaterials (e.g. bone products), micromachined transducers for medical imaging and the use of engineering solutions for production scale needs in biotechnology industry (e.g. electrophoresis). Engineering solutions for biological problems are being developed for human health benefits.

Microbial Genomics: A group of microbiologists are using molecular and cellular approaches to understand the microbiology of a number of different microbes that impact animal and human disease states. Specific research programs include sequencing the genome of critical microbes to be used to design better diagnostics and therapeutics, elucidate the molecular aspects of host-pathogen interactions for novel therapeutic development, and use a genomics microarray procedure to assess a wide spectrum of infectious agents. A systems biology approach to understand microbes from a genomic to physiological level is applied.

Human Health Biotechnology: A large number of groups of investigators work in a variety of human health areas to understand the molecular basis of human disease. Specific integrated research projects include elucidating the molecular and physiological aspects of sleep disorders to develop better treatments, determine the molecular control of DNA repair to provide insights into related disease states, and investigate the molecular and cellular aspects of cancer biology to develop better preventative procedures and therapeutic treatments. Basic research is applied to human health issues through the design and development of novel and improved therapeutics. lopment of novel and improved therapeutics.