New Jersey awards grant to University for genomics research

As part of an expanding initiative to finance scientific research at New Jersey institutions, the state recently awarded Princeton a $700,000 grant to expand its genomics research program.

Six other biomedical research institutions — New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rutgers University, Seton Hall University, Stevens Institute of Technology and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey — also received grants from the state, ranging from $233,000 to $2.6 million. The state awarded a total of $6.5 million in funding.

Princeton's molecular biology department submitted its grant proposal to the state three weeks ago, according to Janice Andersen, director of the University's Office of Research and Project Administration. The New Jersey Board of Education convened Nov. 17 and approved it.

"The University decided [genomics] was an exciting research to focus on. We have strength in this exciting and growing area of scientific research, an area which we have pursued vigorously in the past," Andersen said. "So when this money became available to the University and targeted for high biotech research, genomics fitted into it precisely. It just was a logistic fit for this proposal."

University officials plan to concentrate in proteomics research — an area of genomics that studies essential cellular proteins, which often play critical roles in diseases.

According to molecular biology department manager Sharon Cohen, the grant will be used to purchase a fluorescence-activated cell sorter and a mass spectrometer — both sophisticated devices used in biological analysis.

With the state funds, the University also plans to hire additional technical staff to help modify various parts of the genomics center. A training program for graduate students interested in studying the new areas of genomics and proteomics will also be established.

"These capabilities will be crucial to recruit the very best young faculty and graduate students to Princeton," Cohen said.

"The state funds will enhance both the teaching and research mission of Princeton University, helping to solidify a world-class effort in the vanguard of genomic and proteomic research."

"We hope to make New Jersey a leader in genomic and proteomic research and enhance the competitive edge while positively impacting on the state economy and the biotech field," Cohen said.

The grant reflects a larger commitment from New Jersey to support the scientific research that occurs within the state.

Gov. Christie Whitman last year announced plans to allocate $10 million of this year's budget to provide state support for New Jersey's research institutions and universities and further increase their external funding from the federal government.

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The state's Commission for Higher Education allocated $6.5 million to support the state research universities and $3.5 million in matching grants to help the institutions compete for additional federal research funds.

Commission members hope to further attract national scholars to the six other institutions also awarded funds, according to Jeanne Oswald, who is on the commission.

"Although New Jersey has made huge gains, it still remains behind the national average [in the area of high biotech research]," Oswald said. "We want to bring it to the national average, offer funds to leverage corporate funds and to make New Jersey research universities leaders of the nation."

Whitman also articulated the importance of ensuring the state hosts thriving research.

"Academic research is instrumental in creating jobs, building businesses, boosting productivity and saving lives," she said in a statement. "New Jersey's research universities are a key part of the state's economic infrastructure. Investing in their capacity to conduct cutting-edge research will stimulate new discoveries that can strengthen our high-tech economy and benefit people all over the world."