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RegionObama TransitionDaily Digest
Steve Decker cleans up in front of BankNorth on Wednesday.
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More Snow
The Berkshires received several inches of snow this morning, but not enough to close schools, unlike yesterday's sleety mess. Temperatures will drop into the 20s this afternoon. A few more snow showers are expected through the weekend. |
Duff'em If You've Got'em
 North Adams Regional Hospital went smoke-free Monday — so did all its sister sites, from Sweet Brook to Northern Berkshire Family Practice to the Women's Exchange. No ashtrays, no smoking: No butts about it. |
Wanted: Eagle Eyes
MassWildlife's annual eagle count runs Dec. 31 to Jan. 14. Anyone sighting one of the regal birds in Massachusetts is asked to participate.
Send date, time, location and town of eagle sightings, number of birds, whether juvenile or adult and observer's contact information to Mass.wildlife@state.ma.us. |
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Like to Write?
 iBerkshires accepts submissions about local events, news and opinion pieces. There are openings for freelance work, too, for qualified candidates. E-mail tdaniels@iberkshires.com to find out more. |
What's PlayingSales FliersColumnists | Independent Investor
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Other StuffMars Rovers Mark 5 Years
 Spirit and Opportunity have been trekking the red planet for half a decade. Spirit hit the 5-year mark on Sunday; Opportunity will on Jan. 24. |
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UMass Center Gains $4M for Biotech - February 13, 2008
LOWELL – Two days after unveiling a $12 million grant program to spur biotechnology research, Gov. Deval Patrick stopped at the University of Massachusetts campus here to give it $4 million for a new research facility.
The funding will help the Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center to establish a new facility in Lowell. Known as M2D2, the center is a partnership between the Lowell and Worcester UMass campuses that works with companies around the state to move innovative medical devices from concept to market.
"I'm delighted to join in announcing this next step in the growth and of the life sciences in Massachusetts," Patrick, who was headed west to a campaign event this evening for Rep. Denis E. Guyer of Dalton, said in a press release. "We are proud to continue our partnership with UMass Lowell and our private partners in developing the innovation infrastructure we need to move new ideas into cures, creating new companies and new jobs along the way."
The funding will come from a bond authorization that has already been approved by the Legislature. The state commitment of $4 million will combine with private, federal and local funds for this project.
The governor is pushing life sciences as an economic driver for the state; the Legislature is expected to take up his $1 billion life science bill in the next few weeks.
M2D2 is a resource for the state's smaller medical device companies, offering inventors and executives affordable and coordinated access to researchers and resources. Project coordinators provide access to UMass-Lowell's extensive expertise and facilities in medical device engineering, product design, prototyping and manufacturing. UMass-Lowell is establishing an on-campus innovation center that will house this life sciences initiative.
"By funding this home for UMass-Lowell's medical device development initiative, the governor is helping to grow the life sciences economy. The governor and I are committed to boosting this sector of the life sciences 'supercluster' – one that can lead to jobs, and new state revenue, quickly," said Sen. Steven C. Panagiotakos, chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. He was joined by several of the region's State Hose members.
Through M2D2, plastics engineering and medical experts, working with a steering committee of industry veterans and venture capital managers, guide companies through the pipeline from idea to production. M2D2 is directed by UML's Stephen McCarthy, a professor of plastics engineering who holds nine patents and is the founder of the nanotechnology-based company Encapsion, and Dr. Sheila Noone, UMass-Worcester's director of clinical research.
This "benefits Massachusetts citizens by helping develop new medical instruments and products that improve the health and lives of our residents and assisting Massachusetts entrepreneurs as they start and expand companies in our commonwealth, said UMass President Jack M. Wilson. "We sincerely appreciate the support that Governor Patrick and leaders in the Senate and House have shown for the center." |
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