Innovations in the life sciences arising from the Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) initiative will be the topic of the Utah Technology Council’s (UTC) Life Science Workshop on April 27 at the University of Utah’s Brain Institute in Research Park.

The two-hour morning session is free to UTC members and members of the life sciences community. USTAR executive director Ted McAleer will discuss the broad range of innovations and industry collaborations USTAR researchers are pursuing in biomedical device, drug delivery, neuromedicine, and medical imaging fields. McAleer will touch on life science business incubation, as well as statewide resources for industry/academia collaboration.

Joining him will be John White, executive director of the U of U’s Brain Institute and Bob Hitchcock, Assistant Professor of Bioengineering.

White leads a USTAR biomedical device innovation team that focuses on next-generation implantable electrodes and other “smart” stimulation circuitry that holds the promise to help millions affected by epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, obsessive-compulsive disorder and other neurological conditions. White and his collaborators are working to make the U of U a national leader in cell stimulation and recording, real-time feedback, long-term biocompatibility, and innovative device design.

Hitchcock is spearheading the U of U’s BioDesign program where the College of Engineering and the University Medical Center are working together at the interface between clinical medicine and bioengineering to develop and commercialize biomedical products and related technologies.

The goals of the Biomedical Device Innovation program are to create educational and research programs that leverage the medicine/engineering interface to enhance product development both within the University and with the local medical device industry. Bioengineering students are currently working with a number of clinical partners to explore ideas that can translate into product prototypes. The students work with clinicians to develop product requirements, specifications, prototypes and verification test plans.

Rounding out the session will be a discussion of the “innovation infrastructure” to support companies and researchers at the new USTAR research buildings slated to open at the U of U and Utah State University in 2011-12. Suzanne Winters, director of the BioInnovations Gateway at the Granite School District, will briefly speak about this new incubator.  An optional tour of the USTAR building site will available at the conclusion of the meeting.

When:
Tuesday, April 27
8:00 – 10:00 a.m. (A light breakfast will be served)

Where:
U of U Brain Institute
Hunter Jackson Boardroom
383 Colorow Drive
Salt Lake City, UT

Map: http://www.map.utah.edu/index.html?&xmin=430141.9&ymin=4512234.6&xmax=431131.4&ymax=4512972.8&find=874&aerial=on

Driving Directions: From Foothill Blvd, turn east onto Wakara Way (like you’re going to Red Butte Garden). Proceed uphill to the stop sign. Continue straight on Wakara and then turn right on Colorow Drive. The first driveway on your left is 383 Colorow Drive.
Parking:
There are two parking lots, a lower lot and an upper lot. People may park in either. Parking is free and unmonitored.

Cost:
No Charge

Register: http://utahtech.org/Events/UTC-Events/UTC-Calendar/List-of-Events/Industry-Events/UTC-Life-Science-Breakfast.aspx

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