DATE: June 08, 2009

CONTACT: Chris Przirembel, 864-656-7701
cprzmbl@clemson.edu

WRITER: Sandy Woodward, 864-656-1220
sandra@clemson.edu

Clemson receives $3 million for Center of Economic Excellence in tissue-based research

CLEMSON — Clemson University Monday received approval from the South Carolina Endowed Chairs Review Board to establish a Center of Economic Excellence in Tissue Systems Characterization with $3 million in state funds that require an additional $3 million in non-state matching funds. There will be one endowed chair associated with the center.

To be housed in Clemson’s Institute for Biological Interfaces of Engineering, the center will expand and connect existing expertise in tissue engineering and biomaterials to provide alternatives to animal testing and will allow Clemson researchers to further explore novel technologies with the potential to serve as new diagnostics, medical devices and therapeutic products. 

Karen Burg, Clemson professor of bioengineering and director of the institute, said creation of the Tissue Systems Characterization Center of Economic Excellence will improve Clemson’s opportunity to provide leadership in the ongoing revolution in this field.

“The potential remains great for new medical advances in the juncture between engineering and biology,” Burg said. “We believe this field of interdisciplinary research is still in its infancy, and this center will facilitate the development of new knowledge and new technologies.”

Chris Przirembel, Clemson’s vice president for Research and Economic Development, said the center will play an important role in the medical device economic cluster developing in upstate South Carolina.

“We are grateful to the Review Board for support of this research initiative. It offers significant potential to create new patentable technology that can be licensed to companies that will use it to develop new products for market and drive new job creation within the state. The research conducted by the new chair will also generate sponsored research and improve the attractiveness of the region to biomedical companies considering relocation,” he said.

“The center builds upon strong existing interdisciplinary research initiatives already in place at Clemson and offers economic development potential to attract new industry, create jobs and improve per capita income.” he said.