Inside Iowa State

Aug. 10, 2006

Battelle proposals clear first hurdle

by Anne Krapfl

Iowa State proposes to use nearly $4.75 million in one-time state economic development funds this year for research and commercialization projects in the areas of biosciences, advanced manufacturing and information technology. These are key opportunities for development in Iowa as identified in the Iowa Department of Economic Development's 2004-05 Battelle Report.

The Board of Regents, State of Iowa, gave preliminary approval to Iowa State's proposal Aug. 8 and is expected to give final approval when it next meets Sept. 27-28. The legislation that appropriated the funds also created a non-profit central review board of regents and business people to review all the proposed projects prior to final approval by the regents.

The proposal package already has $12.6 million in matching funds and in-kind support committed from private industry, Iowa State units, federal agencies and other sources.

Funding sought for six proposals

University leaders are seeking funds for six projects, four of which relate to the biosciences. Following is a brief summary of the proposal:

• Bioeconomy: $1.1 million to pursue advancements in energy production, new fuels and lubricants, and other materials from biorenewable crops grown in Iowa, including research in the areas of syngas and ethanol production.
• Advanced food and feed: $1.006 million for collaborative research among scientists in ISU's Nutrition and Wellness Center and, in some cases, private industry that focuses on developing new kinds of carbohydrates from Iowa commodities for use in food. The carbohydrates have potential impact on human diseases (such as heart disease and diabetes) that are related to nutrition and weight control.
• Biosecurity: $721,000 to commercialize a natural antimicrobial molecule recently discovered by ISU researchers to promote food safety in the meat industry. Also, expand the pilot testing of ISU's Iowa Livestock Traceability Project and develop additional software and electronic tracking devices to further improve the accuracy of livestock tracing from farmer to consumer.
• Animal systems: $620,000 to develop large animal genomic models for disease research. The models would be marketed (in a startup company) to companies and institutions that focus on drug testing and food safety.
• Information technology: $1 million to create an Information Science Technology Institute in the ISU Research Park. The institute would coordinate six existing IT research and development centers at ISU and develop collaborative efforts with private industry.
• Advanced manufacturing: $300,000 to create new teams to strengthen existing ISU outreach programs to industry. One team would specialize in analyzing clients' logistics and supply chain links for efficiency, another in new processes for product design and production.

Infrastructure funds

A new field building for research in soybean diseases, and equipment purchases in the areas of bioeconomy and information technology are how Iowa State will spend $1.6 million in Battelle funds designated specifically for infrastructure improvements. University leaders propose that another $1.06 million designated for infrastructure be used to renovate lab space and purchase equipment that supports four of the six projects outlined above. The $4.75 million figure includes these infrastructure dollars.

Iowa State's portion of the one-time, $20 million state appropriation to fund projects in areas identified in the Battelle Report is about $8.4 million. The university will use its remaining $2 million to leverage $4 million in private gifts and create endowed chair and endowed professor positions in the same three key areas. The regents approved this part of the plan in June.

The Board of Regents, State of Iowa, gave preliminary approval to Iowa State's proposal Aug. 8 and is expected to give final approval when it next meets Sept. 27-28. The legislation that appropriated the funds also created a non-profit central review board of regents and business people to review all the proposed projects prior to final approval by the regents.