Washington, DC – A contingent from UB was in Washington Tuesday lobbying federal officials on the university's planned Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics.
The federal government has already come through with $3 million for the center. UB Provost Elizabeth Capaldi says she hopes the progress made so far will lead to further funding.
UB is asking for $12.3 million.
Bioinformatics is an evolving science that utilizes high-speed computers and the mapping of the human genome to develop new drugs and cures for various diseases. Local officials are hoping the bioinformatics center will provide a significant boost to the local economy.
The local group was more sophisticated in its approach this year. Lawmakers say they were impressed with the effort.
Joining Capaldi in Washington was UB President William Greiner and other top university officials in addition to representatives of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute and the Hauptman-Woodward Medical Institute.