By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – Buffalo's bio-medical corridor got another shot in the arm Thursday with the second federal grant announced in two weeks. WBFO's Joyce Kryszak reports.
United States Congresswoman Louis Slaughter brought two Department of Defense grants in as many weeks for Buffalo research centers. Earlier this month, the Hauptman Woodward Institute was given a three million dollar grant to pursue viral links from animals to humans. And Thursday, Slaughter announced that the not-for-profit bio-tech company, CUBRC will receive $1.6 million. CUBRC will develop anti-viral drugs to help stop the spread of diseases. Slaughter said it is all part of a plan to make Buffalo a world class research center.
The money is expected to, not only breed a healthy local economy, but also to attract new researchers who can develop life changing drugs. Professor Christopher Davis is a member of the CUBRC research team. He said the scientific talent on hand, as well as those yet to come are creating revolutionary science.
Slaughter said the grants will also help spur other businesses and investments to boost the local economy. She was not as optimistic, however, when asked about the benefits of a tentative deal reached in Congress Thursday on stimulus package intended to boost the national economy.
She described the rebates as too little to make much enough of a difference.
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