Watson-Capps, Cech write on corporation-campus research

Jana J. Watson-Capps, an associate director of the BioFrontiers Institute at the University of Colorado Boulder, and Thomas R. Cech, professor of chemistry and biochemistry at CU-Boulder and director of the BioFrontiers Institute, have written an article for the journal Nature about the institute, an “interdisciplinary effort to tackle complex biology and forge connections with companies.”

“Faculty members benefit from the influx of corporate expertise. Researchers with industrial experience are often more knowledgeable about high-throughput technology and commercial applications than their academic counterparts. Our biomedical faculty members tell us that they value industry collaborations as a way to apply discoveries in ways that eventually benefit patients. Students gain real-world experience and opportunities to work at these companies as they expand. Young companies benefit from access to flexible lab space, core facilities, an invigorating research environment and an educated workforce,” the pair write.

To read the complete article, visit http://www.nature.com/news/academia-and-industry-companies-on-campus-1.16127