Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 17, 1993 TAG: 9309120268
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Eventually, it may help alter the economic horizons of the New River Valley and the entire region.
In the 20 years since the biotechnology revolution began, hundreds of companies have sprung up as a result of academic research in this fast-changing field.
From genetic-engineering experiments already have come breakthroughs in knowledge for the betterment of life. These include new miracle drugs - and old medicines, such as insulin, made more plentiful and affordable. Cows that give up to 20 percent more milk than their ancestors. Plants that resist diseases caused by insects and drought.
Such breakthroughs often translate into commercially successful products. Literally hundreds of new breakthroughs are expected to come from biotechnological research in the future.
But Virginia Tech isn't trying to jump on the bio-bandwagon as a Johnny-come-lately. Biotechnical research and instruction, in its embryonic stage, began on the Blacksburg campus in the mid-'60s.
Now, more than 70 faculty members, 150 graduate students and 300 undergraduates are involved in projects that have generated some $21 million in research funding for Tech just since 1990. Two companies already have formed in Tech's research center to take fruits of the research to market.
With the new center, which will update and partly consolidate existing biotech activities, Tech anticipates expanding its role in the revolution. By all rights, that should mean a window of opportunity - the likes of which don't open often for Southwest Virginia - for new companies, new jobs, new economic activity.
And visibility, on this academic-industrial frontier.
Construction of the center - to be named for the late Horace Fralin of Roanoke, a long-time benefactor - will likely start next spring and be completed in 1995. It will be built with a combination of state and federal funds.
The state's share, $4.1 million, was commendably approved by voters in last year's bond referendum. The last piece of the federal package for the center - all told, $8.5 million - was approved by Congress just last week.
Credit is due to many - including 9th District Rep. Rick Boucher, state legislators and leaders at Tech - who pushed for this project to become a reality.
It is building for the future - not just Tech's, not just this region's, but the future of all people likely to benefit from biotechnology's quickening advances.
by CNB