 |
|
 |
| print version |
|
|
|
Gifts Ignite
Innovation at QB3
|
|
|
UCSF Foundation Board member Ron Conway
|
|
|
What happens when scientists from three UC campuses and a variety of disciplines collaborate on solving complex biological problems? Novel ideas emerge for treating even the most intractable diseases.
And with the help of two new gifts, such discoveries are unfolding at the California Institute for Quantitative Biomedical Research (QB3), headquartered at UCSF Mission Bay. QB3 brings together scientists from UCSF, UC Berkeley, and UC Santa Cruz to apply quantitative techniques to biomedical research. It also partners with industry to turn these findings into therapies.
Ron Conway, a new UCSF Foundation Board member, has given $100,000 to support work on early cancer detection by Charles Craik, PhD, and two of his researchers. A founding general partner of Angel Investors, LP, Conway previously donated $500,000 to fund construction of the Mission Bay campus, which was used to name Craik's lab.
In addition, Conway has given $100,000 for computer equipment and is securing more at reduced cost through his industry contacts. He has also donated $75,000 to the Catalyst Fund, created by Regis Kelly, PhD, executive director of the Institute, to speed translational and collaborative research.
"I've been extremely impressed with every single person I've met at QB3 and the quality of the research," says Conway. "The efforts of these scientists—combined with the power of business—hold huge potential to benefit society."
Another donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has pledged $250,000 for the Catalyst Fund and $250,000 for a project led by Wendell Lim, PhD. Lim's goal is to engineer "smart cells" that would mimic the body's natural therapeutic responses to health problems.
"It's vital that our scientists have the resources to collaborate on efforts so critical to improving lives," says Kelly. "These gifts will help us innovate for the well-being of all."
For information on supporting research at QB3, contact Gayle Hagen at 415/514-2610 or ghagen@support.ucsf.edu.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
