Markets Markets are a clustering of similar products and services based on research and enabling technologies. Markets are where the highest potential for job creation exists. Medical Devices Enabling Technology Clusters Enabling Knowledge Clusters are the basic knowledge and technologies that allow the development of products. Enabling Knowledge Clusters are the domain of academia and corporate R&D.
Example Applications:
Nanotech & Materials Science Materials science is an interdisciplinary field involving the properties of matter and its applications to various areas of science and engineering. This science investigates the relationship between the structure of materials and their properties. It includes elements of applied physics and chemistry, as well as chemical, mechanical, civil and electrical engineering. Nanotechnology refers broadly to a field of applied science and technology whose unifying theme is the control of matter on the atomic and molecular scale, normally 1 to 100 nanometers, and the fabrication of devices within that size range. Examples of technology involved:
Bioengineering & Clinical Capabilities Biological Engineering is a discipline that applies engineering principles to biological systems for the purpose of developing new technologies and services to improve the living standards of societies. It requires traditional engineering skills to exploit new developments in molecular biology, biochemistry, cell metabolism, microbiology, ecology and engineering principles and applies them in order to understand living systems and to bring solutions to various problems associated with these systems. Bioengineers work closely with medical doctors and other health professionals to develop technical solutions to current and emerging health concerns. Examples of technology involved:
Imaging/Navigation Imaging science is concerned with the generation, collection, duplication, analysis, modification, and visualization of images. As an evolving field it includes research from physics, mathematics, electrical engineering, computer vision, computer science, and perceptual psychology, among others. Navigation is the integration and registration of medical devices that are used to deliver therapies and create an image to allow for precise delivery of therapies or diagnostic capabilities to identified target locations.Examples of technology involved:
Genomics, Proteomics & High Throughput Biology Genomics is the study of an organism's entire genome. This includes determining the DNA sequence and genetic mapping. Proteomics is the study of proteins, particularly their structures and functions. High Throughput Biology includes using the techniques from biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science and engineering to speed research and knowledge creation. It is the basic technology that supports the rapid screening and development of new biologic and chemistry-based products. These three disciplines study the interactions of chemical compounds, gene products, cells and organisms and the networks formed by these interactions. Examples of technology involved:
Example Applications: All forms of life sciences, including:
Bioinformatics & Systems Biology Systems Biology is an approach to analyzing biological complexity and understanding how biological systems function. Systems biology is the study of an organism, viewed as an integrated and interacting network of genes, proteins and biochemical reactions which give rise to life. Instead of analyzing individual components or aspects of the organism, such as sugar metabolism or a cell nucleus, systems biologists focus on all the components and the interactions among them, all as part of one system. These interactions are ultimately responsible for an organism’s form and functions (Institute for Systems biology, University of Washington). Systems biology relies on bioinformatics and computational biology to understand how biological systems function. According to the National Institutes of Health, Bioinformatics is theresearch, development, or application of computational tools and approaches for expanding the use of biological, medical, behavioral or health data, including those to acquire, store, organize, archive, analyze, or visualize such data. Computational Biology is the development and application of data-analytical and theoretical methods, mathematical modeling and computational simulation techniques to the study of biological, behavioral, and social systems.Examples of technology involved:
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Commercialization Catalysts Commercialization Catalysts are generic environmental and infrastructural support to convert knowledge into products. They link and leverage talent to achieve more effective and efficient use of resources, time and leadership. Commercialization Catalysts are the domain of the public, private, and academic sectorsLeadership Talent Leadership talent is defined as having access to leaders who are experienced CEOs, executives, and advisors who are willing to help guide and build a structure around the technology to commercialize the product and get it to the marketplace. Leadership has both a strong academic and private sector experience base. Skilled Workforce A skilled work force is necessary for achievement in the biosciences. This includes adequate training programs, links between industry and academia, and quality mentorship programs. Funding Funding is critical to starting a business. Funding for businesses comes from several different areas, including:
Academic Tech Transfer Academic tech transfer capabilities are critical to ensuring that the innovative research conducted at academic institutions has an avenue to be further developed and commercialized for the benefit of the public. Tech transfer capabilities include patent support, commercialization support, funding support, management support, licensing, or other assistance in helping discoveries made at the academic institution become a product available to consumers. Acceleration/Incubation Incubation is a shared and often subsidized space where companies can locate in their early stages to continue their product development work. Acceleration is space, plus the addition of money, management, technical resources, and other skills that help a business speed up its product development timeline. Component & Service Suppliers Component and service suppliers are those companies and organizations that provide needed expertise to help companies commercialize their products. They can be contract research support, manufacturing support, design support, component suppliers, legal counsel, regulatory services, etc. Facilities Most companies need space in which to operate the business. This can include laboratory space for further research and development, general office space for things such as sales and marketing, or manufacturing space to make the product. Business Planning Business planning support includes advice or contract support about the various aspects of the business, from marketing and sales, technology assessment, finance, value chain development, to business strategy. Foundational Capabilities Foundational Capabilities are the fundamental building blocks that underlie any life science or business endeavor. Foundational Capabilities are the domain of the Public Sector. EducationA high quality education system from Pre-K, through K-12, and into higher education, with particular strength in math, biology and other sciences are required to support a bioscience economy. Infrastructure Basic infrastructure, such as roads, sewers, buildings, internet/telecommunications capabilities, and other amenities must be in place to support the development of businesses in the community. Infrastructure is of special importance to new industries where no current infrastructure exists to support this new type of technology-based business. Policy There must be sound public policy concerning the regulation of business and sciences to support the bioscience industry sector. In addition, there need to be public policy decisions that help to catalyze innovation and formation of new industries and companies. It is important that catalysts are targeted to encourage and leverage private sector investment. |
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