Biology and Biotechnology
Centers and Institutes
Barnett Institute of Chemical and Biological Analysis
Director: Barry L. Karger, James L. Waters Professor of Analytical Chemistry
An internationally recognized center for advanced interdisciplinary research and training in
analytical chemistry and biotechnology, the Barnett Institute’s work includes proteomics,
biomarker discovery, drug synthesis and development, environmental cancer agent detection and
ultrasensitive instrumentation. The Barnett Institute’s research team, which includes two
endowed chairs in bioanalytical chemistry, an additional 20 faculty members and research
scientists, and 25 graduate students, has published close to 900 peer-reviewed research
publications, received more than 50 patents, and generated patent licensing activity that
brings in more than $1 million per year to the University. The Barnett Institute has endowment
funds of $8 million and annual research funds of $5.0 million. More than 300 alumni have gone
on to distinguished careers in academia and the biopharmaceutical and biotechnology
industries. Founded in 1973.
Antimicrobial Discovery Center
Director: Kim Lewis, Professor of Biology
The mission of the Center is to translate basic science discoveries into novel antimicrobial therapies to combat Biowarfare and conventional pathogen threats. Antimicrobial drug discovery is in a state of crisis ? the last class of broad-spectrum compounds, the fluoroquinolones, was discovered 40 years ago. The rise of multidrug resistant pathogens and the threat of genetically engineered bioweapons represent an urgent need for novel antimicrobial therapies. The Center, funded by grants from the NIH, NSF, and DOE, is directed by Kim Lewis and draws faculty members from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Founded in 2006.
Director: Alexandros Makriyannis, George D. Behrakis Endowed Chair in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Buoyed by nearly $10 million in established grants, the center is dedicated to better understanding drug mechanisms of action and developing new approaches and technologies aimed at improving the discovery of new therapeutic drugs. The main projects include drug design and synthesis, chemical/biochemical approaches for studying drug receptor interactions and the role of membranes in drug action using biophysical methods. Additional work involves studying the effects of drug molecules on membranes using solution and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance and computational methods, and using the results to design and synthesize improved medications. The classes of drugs being studied include cannabinoids, steroids and antineoplastic ether lipids. The work also includes studying the mechanism by which these molecules are transported across the blood brain barrier. The center, working with the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, is developing an educational component centered on drug discovery. Founded in 2003.
Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Complex Systems (CIRCS)
Director: Alain Karma, Professor of Physics
Working on both complex biological and material science problems, CIRCS’s research includes designing computer models for use in the treatment of cardiac dynamics; finding ways to prevent the HIV virus from replicating in cells; developing new technology to analyze nucleic acids and proteins; studying the self-organized mitotic spindle formation in animal cells; devising computational neuroscience models of memory and attention in the brain; studying the connections between friction and quantum computers; and understanding the evolution of crystals. Twelve faculty members and three research fellows from physics, chemistry, mathematics, and electrical and computer engineering are involved in CIRCS, which has received funding from the National Science Foundation, American Heart Association, and U.S. Department of Energy, and has research partnerships with Cornell, UCLA, and MIT. Founded in 1995.
Center for Complex Network Research (CCNR)
Director: Albert-László Barabási, Distinguished Professor, Physics, College of Arts & Sciences
The Center for Complex Network Research (CCNR), directed by Professor Barabasi, has a simple objective: think networks. The center's research focuses on how networks emerge, what they look like, and how they evolve; and how networks impact on understanding of complex systems. To understand networks, CCNR's research has developed to rather unexpected areas. Certain studies include the topology of the www - showing that webpages are on average 19 clicks form each other; complex cellular network inside the cell-looking at both metabolic and genetic networks; the Internet's Achilles' Heel. The center's researchers have even ventured to study how actors are connected in Hollywood.
Director: Gwilym Jones, Professor of Biology
An internationally recognized research institution that focuses on the ocean environment, marine life and ecology, and discovering biotechnological and medical potentials in the sea. Projects include creating genetically engineered seaweed to clean wastewater from agriculture facilities, developing new antibiotics to fight bacterial infections, and building underwater robots. Located on a peninsula five miles northeast of Boston, the Marine Science Center houses year-round research laboratories and teaching facilities, an extensive running seawater system, diving facilities, small boats and the research vessel R.V. Mysis. It is the base for 20 faculty and researchers, and graduate programs in marine biology. It is also home to the East/West Marine Biology Program, in which 20 students study together for a year, rotating among the University of Southern California Wrigley Marine Science Center, University of West Indies Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory, and the Marine Science Center. Founded in 1968.
New England Inflammation and Tissue Protection Institute
Director: Michail Sitkovsky, Eleanor Black Chair in Immunophysiology and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
This institute focuses on the role of tissue inflammation
in fighting disease and infection, and the mechanisms that control tissue
inflammation in the body. The Institute's work has immediate implications
for anti-cancer strategies and approaches to improved vaccines. Founded
in 2003.