History of Discovery
The Buffalo Niagara region has a rich history of discovery in life sciences that is sometimes not known to those outside and even within the region. A major source of the world-renowned innovation comes from our longstanding research institutions. For example, Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI), one of the CoE partners, was the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center and is even today is one of only 41 National Cancer Institute designated comprehensive cancer care centers in the United States. RPCI instituted the nation's first chemotherapy program, pioneered studies on the relationship between smoking and lung cancer and developed photodynamic therapy (PDT) and the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.
Similarly, Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute (HWI), another CoE partner, is home to Nobel Prize Laureate Dr. Herbert Hauptman, who is recognized for his groundbreaking work in x-ray crystallography, a technique used in determination of molecular structures important for research in areas such as drug development. With more than 100 academic departments and programs, the CoE’s lead institution, University at Buffalo, has a breadth of inventions across life sciences disciplines, including timed-release insulin therapy, surfactant therapy for treating premature babies and nicotine replacement therapy, just to name a few. Beyond these world-class institutions, the entrepreneurial spirit has been alive in the private sector as well, with one of the best known local inventions being the cardiac pacemaker, developed by Mr. Wilson Greatbatch.
Life Sciences Discoveries in Buffalo Niagara
- Cardiac pacemaker
- BAC Libraries for sequencing the Human Genome
- Platinum Coil for Inoperable cranial Aneurysms
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test
- Surfactant Replacement Therapy for Neonatal Respiratory Distress
- Photodynamic Therapy for Cancer
- Beta-Interferon Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy
- Sickle Cell Screening Test
- High-Throughput Crystallization Method for structure determination
- Timed-Release Insulin Therapy
- PKU Test
- Artificial blood
News
Reception to Honor UB's Inventors, Entrepreneurs
05/04/2008 - BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo and its Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach (STOR) will recognize the research and commercialization achievements of faculty members at the annual Inventors and Entrepreneurs Reception to be held from 4-6 p.m. May 5 in The Buffalo Club, 388 Delaware Ave...[Read On]
Study Describes Mechanism Linking Alcohol with Risk of Breast Cancer
04/30/2008 - BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The known association of alcohol consumption with an increased risk of breast cancer has been linked by researchers at the University at Buffalo to a process that causes genes that promote normal cell growth to produce proteins that precipitate unregulated cell growth, an action known as hypermethylation...[Read On...]
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Events
May 6 - Dr. Austin Clean Room Program
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear one of the world’s foremost Cleanroom and Contamination Control Experts. Dr. Austin has published six textbooks on clean rooms and personally authored each of the clean room standards adopted by ISO. This program will take place from 2-6pm Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Center for Genetics & Pharmacology, Zebro Room, 701 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY. Register at www.thepartnership.org/events. See flyer for more information. 
May 8 – HWI Seminar Series
Please join Dr. Michael Rossman from Purdue University for a presentation on “Symmetry and asymmetry in the control of viral assembly, maturation and infection”. Program begins at 2:30pm with a reception to follow. Series is held at the Hauptman-Woodward Institute 700 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY 14203.
To view the complete list of events and event details, please visit our Events page
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