RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., July 28, 2011 – The North Carolina Biotechnology Center has awarded $1,378,772 in grants to six North Carolina universities in 2011 to boost biotechnology research.

The 12 Institutional Development Grants (IDGs), matched at least 25 cents on the dollar by the universities, went to scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, North Carolina State University, East Carolina University, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

The grant program carries a maximum award of $200,000. It funds core facilities and equipment serving multiple investigators.

“This program serves a crucial need in North Carolina’s research community,” said Maria Rapoza, Ph.D., the Biotechnology Center’s vice president, science and technology development program.

“The equipment and facilities needed for life science research grows more expensive and specialized each year. By providing these funds, the Biotechnology Center helps North Carolina open doors to scientific discoveries and commercial opportunities such as new biotech companies, products and jobs.”

The IDG program is one of several grant and loan programs administered by the Center to support life-science research, business, education and workforce training statewide. The next deadline for submitting IDG applications is August 31, 2011.

Dilip Panthee, Ph.D., assistant professor at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center in Fletcher, $68,508 – to develop a molecular genetics research facility to advance agricultural and natural sciences research in Western North Carolina

The Biotechnology Center is a private, non-profit corporation supported by the N.C. General Assembly. Its mission is to provide long-term economic and societal benefits to North Carolina by supporting biotechnology research, business, education and strategic policy statewide.

Contact: Robin Deacle, vice president of corporate communications, at robin_deacle@ncbiotech.org or 919-541-9366. Visit the Biotechnology Center's Web site at www.ncbiotech.org