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A Systems Biology Initiative A Systems Biology Initiative Mid-Atlantic Biosciences Corridor Mid-Atlantic Biosciences Corridor (Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland ) (Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland )

A Systems Biology Initiative Mid-Atlantic Biosciences Corridor (Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland )

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A Systems Biology InitiativeA Systems Biology Initiative

Mid-Atlantic Biosciences Corridor Mid-Atlantic Biosciences Corridor (Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland )(Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland )

Currently the biotech associations of Currently the biotech associations of NC, VA & MD are thinking of ‘hooking NC, VA & MD are thinking of ‘hooking

up’up’ Number of biotech companies:Number of biotech companies:

MD & VA = 4MD & VA = 4thth (115) (115)NC = 7NC = 7thth (87) (87) - isn’t this great?- isn’t this great?

Number of biotech companies: Number of biotech companies: NE = 1NE = 1stst (255) (255) SF Bay Area = 2SF Bay Area = 2ndnd (220) (220)SE = 3SE = 3rdrd (125) (125)

Combining ‘Combining ‘biotechbiotech statisticsstatistics’ would vault the Mid-Atlantic into 2’ would vault the Mid-Atlantic into 2ndnd generallygenerally

To attract new investment – the bigger the better. To attract new investment – the bigger the better. ““We know what we’re doing”We know what we’re doing”

Being discussed between the respective Biotechnology Being discussed between the respective Biotechnology Associations. State Government Offices, up to and including the Associations. State Government Offices, up to and including the Governors, are actively considering this approach.Governors, are actively considering this approach.

Mid-Atlantic Biosciences CorridorMid-Atlantic Biosciences Corridor

Stretches from “Baltimore to RTP”Stretches from “Baltimore to RTP”

Doesn’t actually mean anything – there Doesn’t actually mean anything – there is no physical manifestation of this is no physical manifestation of this idea.idea.

Difficult, if not impossible, for academic Difficult, if not impossible, for academic institutions to be involved in such a institutions to be involved in such a smoke-and-mirrors schemesmoke-and-mirrors scheme

An Educational “Biosciences An Educational “Biosciences Corridor”Corridor”

Is there a way academic Is there a way academic institutions become part of institutions become part of this multi-state effort?this multi-state effort?

Expect research universities Expect research universities will be involved is some way will be involved is some way – but exactly how?– but exactly how?

Can there be a broader Can there be a broader involvement from other involvement from other institutions too? Teaching institutions too? Teaching schools, community schools, community colleges, perhaps even K-colleges, perhaps even K-12?12?

Dr. Nancy Cooley Dr. Dan LaVistaDir. of Academic Affairs and Planning Executive Director

State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV)

Provide academic planning and coordination of Virginia's 16 public and two and four-year institutions, 23 community colleges of the Virginia Community College System, and 100+ private and out-of-state institutions.

The New BiologyThe New Biology The 1990’s represented the ‘Omics’ revolutionThe 1990’s represented the ‘Omics’ revolution

– Genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics, Genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics, interactionomics: enough information to make your head interactionomics: enough information to make your head spinspin

What we actually found was that we genertaed lots What we actually found was that we genertaed lots of biological information but it was all pretty of biological information but it was all pretty isolated.isolated. There was no real interconnectedness There was no real interconnectedness between what we found in one area and what we between what we found in one area and what we knew in another.knew in another.

Paradoxically exposed limits of our understanding – Paradoxically exposed limits of our understanding – the more we found out – the less it all made sensethe more we found out – the less it all made sense

New type of approach: New type of approach: Integrated/Systems BiologyIntegrated/Systems Biology

Systems biologySystems biology is the science of is the science of measuring and subsequently integrating measuring and subsequently integrating genetic, genomic, biochemical, cellular, genetic, genomic, biochemical, cellular, physiological and clinical data to create a physiological and clinical data to create a network that can be used to model network that can be used to model biological events. biological events. All of them. All of them.

Tackle whole organisms and/or diseases Tackle whole organisms and/or diseases simultaneously.simultaneously.

Systems Biology – research Systems Biology – research perspectiveperspective

This extremely LARGE SCALE scienceThis extremely LARGE SCALE science

Genomics, proteomics initiatives along with Genomics, proteomics initiatives along with bioinformatics and structural biology etc. etc.bioinformatics and structural biology etc. etc.

““Hey, can’t we do Systems Biology by Hey, can’t we do Systems Biology by ourselves?”ourselves?”

To do this properly: NOTo do this properly: NO

Systems Biology – research Systems Biology – research perspectiveperspective

Any single institutional systems biology effort Any single institutional systems biology effort would be limited. Even systems biology would be limited. Even systems biology investigations of small-to-moderate complexity investigations of small-to-moderate complexity tie up instrumentation and personnel from tie up instrumentation and personnel from various research facilities for significant periods various research facilities for significant periods at the exclusion of all other research projects. at the exclusion of all other research projects.

Additionally, many parts of the systems biology Additionally, many parts of the systems biology investigation must be carried out simultaneously. investigation must be carried out simultaneously.

For the really big stuff: It may be just too For the really big stuff: It may be just too overwhelming for one place or even a few overwhelming for one place or even a few collaborating institutions.collaborating institutions.

Systems Biology – research Systems Biology – research perspectiveperspective

A substantial systems biology co-operative should be established – A substantial systems biology co-operative should be established – involving the educational systems from several states. This co-involving the educational systems from several states. This co-operative would enable complete, large scale systems biology operative would enable complete, large scale systems biology research projects to be performed. research projects to be performed.

Collaborations would be set up between research universities Collaborations would be set up between research universities (individually or multi-institutionally) and the Systems Biology co-(individually or multi-institutionally) and the Systems Biology co-operative and an appropriate division of labor would be established.operative and an appropriate division of labor would be established.

The benefit: large grants ($25 million and above) that are ultra The benefit: large grants ($25 million and above) that are ultra competitive would be more likely awarded to an official multi-state competitive would be more likely awarded to an official multi-state co-operativeco-operative

For example: NCSU/UNC-CH are competing with Va Tech/UVa and For example: NCSU/UNC-CH are competing with Va Tech/UVa and also UMaryland/John’s Hopkins for a $50 million grant. We would also UMaryland/John’s Hopkins for a $50 million grant. We would have a 33% chance of getting that or put another way, a 67% have a 33% chance of getting that or put another way, a 67% chance of not getting it. In the new model, where, for this program chance of not getting it. In the new model, where, for this program we’re all ‘one’, we may have a much better chance of getting a third we’re all ‘one’, we may have a much better chance of getting a third of $50 million. We don’t get the whole pie, but we get a slice. Is it of $50 million. We don’t get the whole pie, but we get a slice. Is it easier to get lots of slices than one whole pie? That’s the question.easier to get lots of slices than one whole pie? That’s the question.

Systems Biology – research Systems Biology – research perspectiveperspective

Do we need a really big center(s) of Do we need a really big center(s) of excellence with a lot of staff and excellence with a lot of staff and equipment to be able to do this?equipment to be able to do this?

Ultimately this would be a large and Ultimately this would be a large and formal collaboration between State formal collaboration between State systems.systems.

Systems Biology – teaching Systems Biology – teaching perspectiveperspective

Because of this interconnectedness, life sciences Because of this interconnectedness, life sciences are rapidly becoming too ‘big and broad’ to be are rapidly becoming too ‘big and broad’ to be taught conventionally – you need to know ‘too taught conventionally – you need to know ‘too much’. There are too many fundamentals to ever much’. There are too many fundamentals to ever get to grips with.get to grips with.

Can’t teach ‘from the bottom up’, have to teach Can’t teach ‘from the bottom up’, have to teach ‘from the top down’ – ‘from the top down’ – much more problem drivenmuch more problem driven

Systems Biology – teaching Systems Biology – teaching perspectiveperspective

To prepare students to meet future biosciences To prepare students to meet future biosciences needs in the workforce the teaching of the whole needs in the workforce the teaching of the whole of Life Sciences looks like it needs to be reformedof Life Sciences looks like it needs to be reformed

Teaching will need to become Teaching will need to become moremore problem problem driven and focus on interconnectednessdriven and focus on interconnectedness

This is already being discussed amongst Provost’s This is already being discussed amongst Provost’s and federal education specialistsand federal education specialists

Systems Biology Initiative NC-Systems Biology Initiative NC-VA (MD?)VA (MD?)

Co-operation between Co-operation between university university systems systems is neededis needed

Research universities, teaching Research universities, teaching universities and community collegesuniversities and community colleges

Biotech really seems to want sytems Biotech really seems to want sytems biology ‘local’ to take advantage of.biology ‘local’ to take advantage of.

Systems BiologyInstitute

Center 1 Center 2

Center 3

Undergraduate/CommunityCollege

Research Institution

Research Institution

Research Institution

Research Institution

Research Institution Research Institution

Undergraduate/CommunityCollege

Undergraduate/CommunityCollege

Policy and Government Policy and Government Liaison UnitLiaison Unit

Partnership & Partnership & Development Office:Development Office:

Biotech, Pharma, Venture Biotech, Pharma, Venture Capital, Academic, Capital, Academic, Federal, State FundingFederal, State Funding

Ethics OfficeEthics Office

Research ToolsResearch ToolsHigh-throughput High-throughput instrumentationinstrumentation

Analytical Analytical instrumentationinstrumentation

Computation and Computation and Knowledge AssemblyKnowledge Assembly

Information Information TechnologyTechnology

EducationEducation

Collaborative Collaborative research research

programs/institutionsprograms/institutions

K-12K-12

Community colleges and Community colleges and undergraduate institutionsundergraduate institutions

Graduate/ undergraduate Graduate/ undergraduate programs at research programs at research institutionsinstitutions

Administration/GovernanceAdministration/Governance

Exec. Exec. DirectorDirector

Advisory BoardAdvisory Board

Coordinators

Coordinators

Coordinators

Coordinators

College College course/curriculum course/curriculum redesignredesign

K-12 curriculum K-12 curriculum redesignredesign

Biotech management Biotech management developmentdevelopment

‘Virtual’ Systems BiologyInstitute

Center 1VA

Center 2MD

Center 3NC

Undergraduate/CommunityCollege

Research Institution

Research Institution

Research Institution

Research Institution

Research Institution Research Institution

Undergraduate/CommunityCollege

Undergraduate/CommunityCollege

NC Systems Biology Center

Cavanagh’s new lakefront office

Steering Committee, Virginia-North Carolina Steering Committee, Virginia-North Carolina Systems Biology InitiativeSystems Biology Initiative

Nancy Cooley, Director of Academic Affairs and Planning, State Council of Higher Education for Nancy Cooley, Director of Academic Affairs and Planning, State Council of Higher Education for VirginiaVirginia

John Cavanagh, Professor of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry and Director of Research John Cavanagh, Professor of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry and Director of Research Development, NCSUDevelopment, NCSU

Mark Herzog, Executive Director, The Virginia Biotechnology Association (VABio)Mark Herzog, Executive Director, The Virginia Biotechnology Association (VABio) John Noftsinger, Virginia Research and Technology Advisory Commission (VRTAC)John Noftsinger, Virginia Research and Technology Advisory Commission (VRTAC) Nancy Vorona, Vice President, Research Investment, Center for Innovative Technology/VRTACNancy Vorona, Vice President, Research Investment, Center for Innovative Technology/VRTAC Terry Woodworth, Director, Life Sciences, Center for Innovative TechnologyTerry Woodworth, Director, Life Sciences, Center for Innovative Technology

Peter Blake, Deputy Secretary of Education, Commonwealth of VirginiaPeter Blake, Deputy Secretary of Education, Commonwealth of Virginia Eugene Huang, Secretary of Technology, Commonwealth of VirginiaEugene Huang, Secretary of Technology, Commonwealth of Virginia Michael Schewel, Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Commonwealth of VirginiaMichael Schewel, Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Commonwealth of Virginia

Ali Ansari, Acting Dean of Graduate Studies, Research, and Outreach, Virginia State UniversityAli Ansari, Acting Dean of Graduate Studies, Research, and Outreach, Virginia State University Roger Avery, Senior Associate Dean, Graduate School, Virginia TechRoger Avery, Senior Associate Dean, Graduate School, Virginia Tech Doug Boudinot, Dean, Graduate School, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityDoug Boudinot, Dean, Graduate School, Virginia Commonwealth University David Braake, Dean, College of Science and Mathematics, James Madison UniversityDavid Braake, Dean, College of Science and Mathematics, James Madison University Robert E. Burnett, Associate Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies, University of Robert E. Burnett, Associate Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies, University of

Virginia Virginia Harold Cones, Chair, Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Science, Christopher Newport UniversityHarold Cones, Chair, Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Science, Christopher Newport University Patricia Franklin, Associate Professor of Biology, Piedmont Virginia Community CollegePatricia Franklin, Associate Professor of Biology, Piedmont Virginia Community College Chris Hill, Vice Provost for Research, George Mason UniversityChris Hill, Vice Provost for Research, George Mason University Thomas Huff, Vice Provost for Life Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityThomas Huff, Vice Provost for Life Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University Phil Langlais, Dean of Graduate Studies and Assoc. VP for Research, Old Dominion UniversityPhil Langlais, Dean of Graduate Studies and Assoc. VP for Research, Old Dominion University Ivan Liss, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Radford UniversityIvan Liss, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Radford University Dennis Manos, Vice Provost, College of William and MaryDennis Manos, Vice Provost, College of William and Mary Camellia Moses Okpodu, Chair, Department of Biology, Norfolk State UniversityCamellia Moses Okpodu, Chair, Department of Biology, Norfolk State University

$$ What does this mean potentially? $$ What does this mean potentially? $$$$

Federal investment – allows us to Federal investment – allows us to better compete for the very large better compete for the very large awards soon to come on lineawards soon to come on line

State investment – covers education, State investment – covers education, research and jobs growthresearch and jobs growth

More likely to showcase our talents More likely to showcase our talents to investors who historically focus in to investors who historically focus in other states (and international other states (and international investors) investors)