The Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences at UTMB is currently developing a biotechnology track, in conjunction with the Galveston College and Montgomery College AS Degree Programs. These unique biotechnology programs provide students with the high level knowledge and skills required to perform laboratory experiments as a Research Technician in medical and pharmaceutical research and in the biotech industry. The curriculum includes essential background knowledge and extensive hands-on training where students gain expertise in fundamental and state-of-the-art laboratory work (e.g., pipetting, solution preparation, use of laboratory instruments and apparatus, recombinant DNA and protein techniques, purification and identification methods, general laboratory safety, ethical considerations in research, and much more).
According to an article in Southern Business and Development Magazine:
Galveston Island, Texas, presents the ideal profile for the development of an energetic biotech industry. The island attracts many high-powered researchers with its proximity to the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), access to $1 billion in venture capital sited in the Houston region, and unique beachfront atmosphere.
As home to UTMB, Galveston is the site of a substantial body of research related to human health issues. It is also home to Texas A&M University at Galveston, whose corps of researchers focuses on marine research. Many analysts believe that the intersection of these human and marine research programs will provide significant opportunities in the future.
The academic and research institutions in the Galveston area cooperate on many research programs and technology transfer initiatives. Collaborations often include M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Rice University, the University of Houston, the UT Health Science Center and the UT Medical Branch.
An example of a technology transfer collaboration currently underway includes a skin cancer project between UTMB and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. The two are working together to create a skin cancer treatment that can be applied before or after sun exposure, which will actually repair damaged DNA. Another collaborative initiative is the creation of a consortium between seven institutions to study molecular biology.
Gary Breit, Assistant Vice President for the Technology Management Office at UTMB, said he chose to come to Galveston because it was a great opportunity. He said he was not only attracted to the institution, but also to Galveston's distinctive environment. Since 1999, Breit has seen revenues grow nearly 240 percent per year. Patents and licenses have also increased 10-fold. Currently, UTMB is constructing a "virtual incubator" to nurture new ventures and to assist with capital formation.
Blessed by nature with a mild climate, miles of sandy beaches and an abundance of birds and marine life, Galveston is bound to have a vibrant future in biotechnology.