By: Deborah Johnson Wood
In existence since late 2006, The Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM) already has added three experienced medical technologists to handle the influx of molecular research. Their expertise spans a range of medical specialties, including molecular and cell biology, biotechnology, molecular biology, and clinical laboratory science.
The CMM also doubled its lab space to 3,300 square feet, expanding into an unused lab next door to its facilities on the top floor of the GVSU Cook-DeVos Center for Health Studies in downtown Grand Rapids.
"In just over a year, we've been able to execute seven contracts with various institutions," says Daniel H. Farkas, PhD., Executive Director of the CMM. "One of those is the Children's Oncology Group (COG), which is sending us 2,200 DNA specimens from pediatric leukemia patients to genotype their DNA"
The data goes back to the Children's Oncology Group to be studied for patterns of recurrent DNA anomalies. The COG hopes the information will help researchers develop innovative diagnostic tests or new treatments for leukemia.
"As new projects come through the pipeline and move toward fruition, and as they justify adding more staff, we can do that," Dr. Farkas says.
Dr. Farkas declined to give any numbers, but says the CMM is in the midst of negotiating several more research contracts.
"We're generating significant revenue," Dr. Farkas adds. "People do not think of Michigan as a biotech center, and having worked all over the country, I can tell you that we can compete nationally."
Source: Daniel H. Farkas, PhD, The Center for Molecular Medicine; Don Hunt, Lambert, Edwards & Associates
Photo courtesy of Daniel H. Farkas, PhD
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Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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