Wayne State University has received funding for six project proposals submitted to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) for the Michigan Life Sciences Corridor initiative. Three of the six projects are from medical school faculty members: Drs. Roy Baynes, Hiranmoy Bhattacharjee and June Kan-Mitchell. (See research project profiles.) In addition, WSU will house the Michigan Center for Genomic Technologies, under the direction of Dr. Mark Hughes.

Established with $1 billion from the state’s tobacco lawsuit settlement, the Michigan Life Sciences Corridor has granted nearly $100 million to Michigan universities and private companies, hoping to boost the state’s standing as a major center for biological research. The core facilities associated with the initiative are WSU, Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and the Van Andel Institute.

“The Michigan Life Sciences Corridor is a unique public-private partnership that combines the technological and scientific muscle of Michigan’s leading research institutions while maximizing their individual areas of specialization,” said George Dambach, PhD, vice president for research at WSU. “The Michigan Life Sciences Corridor already has attracted the attention of high-tech and biotech companies that are interested in relocating and starting up in Detroit and across the state. This is an important component in diversifying Michigan’s strong economy and will be a key factor in transferring the technology developed in university laboratories to the marketplace of tomorrow.”