MSU researchers awarded $13.1 million for projects aimed at the Michigan bioeconomy
Eleven Michigan State University research projects -- from basic research to applied research already spinning off Michigan companies -- were among the winners of the state's 21st Century Jobs Fund awards in 2006.
MSU projects were granted $13.1 million for research on topics ranging from ethanol fuel engines to laser-based molecular scalpel technology to ways to increase efficiency in pharmaceutical drugs.
"These 11 projects are wonderful representations of the breadth of applicable research that is positioned to benefit Michigan's economy," said MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon. "It is yet another example of how Michigan State, from the very beginning of basic research to the blossoming of new Michigan businesses, is contributing to our state's diversification."
The 61 awardees were selected by the Michigan Strategic Economic Investment and Commercialization Board to share more than $100 million from the fund's first round.
MSU submitted 22 proposals.
MSU's projects span the fund's scope of life sciences, alternative energy, advanced automotive materials and manufacturing, and homeland security. Many of MSU's projects focus on bolstering the state's bioeconomy, such as mechanical engineering professor Harold Schock's proposal to develop ethanol fuel engines, chemical engineering professor Dennis Miller's research on a continuous production process for biodiesel, and civil and environmental engineering researcher Syed Hashsham's work to strengthen air and water safety.
MSU's engagement in the awards underscores the collaborative nature of the 21st Century Jobs Fund awards. MSU researchers and groups also are collaborators in nine other awards.
Moreover, several awardees are start-up companies that use MSU technology. For example, Diversified Natural Products, a company in Scottville, has 15 patents that have sprung from MSU research. AFID Therapeutics is the company of Rawle Hollingsworth in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
