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- Posted Friday June 20, 2014
NAU and TGen forge five-year cooperative agreement and celebrate new patent and other joint research success
Better patient care provided through new NAU-TGen tests for deadly MRSA, Valley Fever and other infectious diseases that threaten public health
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - June 20, 2014 - Northern
Arizona University (NAU) and the Translational Genomics Research
Institute (TGen) announced today a five-year agreement to
promote innovation and quality research benefiting Arizona.
The NAU-TGen Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) implements the
allocation of state funding as directed by Governor Jan Brewer and
the Arizona Legislature, and reaffirms the commitment of both
institutions toward quality research, training and educational
opportunities, protection of public health and improved patient
care. The Governor and Legislature recommitted state funding
support as part of the 2014-15 state budget, recognizing the
positive dividends from a viable, competitive bioindustry in
Arizona.
"TGen has played a valuable role in developing and advancing
Arizona's bioscience industry," said Governor Brewer. "From
delivering medical breakthroughs and first-rate research - to
creating quality jobs and growing our economy - TGen is a shining
example of the innovative companies we seek to attract and expand
in Arizona. By enhancing the successful partnership between TGen
and NAU, we can ensure that both our bioscience industry and our
economy will continue to thrive for years to come."
NAU and TGen also announced today that the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office has approved a patent for a new set of
genetically-based tests, jointly developed by NAU and TGen, that
accurately identify fungal pathogens that threaten public health
worldwide. Broad-based identification of fungi is essential for
clinical diagnostics and also for environmental testing. This is
the first of many patents anticipated through NAU-TGen
collaborations.
The two institutions also are celebrating other joint research,
including highly accurate, genetically-based tests for detecting
and monitoring Valley Fever, influenza and different types of staph
bacteria infections, especially the potentially deadly
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, also known as
MRSA.
These achievements, and numerous other collaborations underway
between NAU and TGen, will be celebrated at 2 p.m. today at NAU's
Applied Research and Development building.
The NAU-TGen developed genetic-based tests allow real-time tests
in any location, including laboratories, but also clinics,
physician offices, emergency rooms and even field settings.
Immediate diagnosis of pathogens is a critical part of TGen's push
for precision medicine, in which patients receive the correct
treatments as quickly as possible, speeding their recovery and
saving lives.
The genetic-based tests for various pathogens were developed by a
team from NAU and TGen that includes Dr. Paul Keim, Director of
TGen's Pathogen Genomics Division (also known as TGen North) in
Flagstaff, and a Regents Professor and Cowden Endowed Chair in
Microbiology at NAU.
"These advanced diagnostics have far reaching implications for
protecting public health, quickly treating patients and lowering
the cost of healthcare," Dr. Keim said. "Through our joint NAU-TGen
research, we are continuing to develop tools and technologies that
have a great impact on human health."
This joint effort has generated other intellectual property,
stimulated the founding of a startup company, and now generates
licensing revenues for both NAU and TGen.
"Our relationship with TGen exemplifies the importance of the
biosciences to NAU and to Arizona's economy," said NAU President
John Haeger. "An important mission of our university is to produce
research with direct benefits to the state and to the world, and
together with TGen that is what we are accomplishing. We look
forward to much more."
Dr. Jeffrey Trent, TGen President and Research Director, praised
President Haeger, Gov. Brewer and the Arizona Legislature for
helping ensure TGen's continuing role in stimulating local research
that directly benefits Arizona patients.
"We are enormously grateful to Governor Brewer and the state
Legislature, particularly the leadership, for their continuing
confidence and support in us," said Dr. Trent. "In addition, as
demonstrated by the leadership and cooperation of President Haeger,
Dr. Keim and NAU, there is no question that these types of
collaborations between universities and research institutions can
result in significant commercial applications."
*
These projects described were supported by National Institutes of
Health (NIH) grants to TGen through Award Number R21AI076773, Award
Number U01AI066581 from the National Institute Of Allergy And
Infectious Diseases, other NIH/NIAID funding, and through the
state's Technology and Research Initiative Fund (TRIF), approved by
Arizona voters in 2000. The content is solely the responsibility of
the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views
of the NIAID or the NIH. NAU was a subcontractor under Award Number
U01AI066581.
# # #
About Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University has a student population of more than
25,000 with its main campus at the foot of the San Francisco Peaks
in Flagstaff, Arizona.
NAU provides an outstanding undergraduate residential education
strengthened by research, graduate and professional programs, and
sophisticated methods of distance delivery and innovative new
campuses and programs throughout the state.
NAU's mission and goals are based on core values including placing
learner needs at the center of planning, policies and programs;
providing all qualified students with access to higher education;
achieving multicultural understanding as a priority of educational
and civic life; operating with fairness, honesty, and the highest
ethical standards; and supporting a civil, engaging and respectful
campus climate.
Press Contact:
Eric Dieterle
NAU Public Affairs Coordinator
928-225-5042
[email protected]
*
About TGen
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. TGen is focused
on helping patients with cancer, neurological disorders and
diabetes, through cutting edge translational research (the process
of rapidly moving research towards patient benefit). TGen
physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of
both common and rare complex diseases in adults and children.
Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical
communities literally worldwide, TGen makes a substantial
contribution to help our patients through efficiency and
effectiveness of the translational process. For more information,
visit:www.tgen.org.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
