Fla. Gives Miami Genetic Institute $80M

February 3, 2008

By LAURA WIDES-MUNOZ 02.01.08, 1:40 PM ET

The University of Miami received $80 million in a state grant to

expand its nascent genetic research institute, Gov. Charlie Crist

announced Friday in South Florida's latest move to expand its biotech

research hub.

The institute, established last year, focuses on using human genome

research to prevent, detect and treat human diseases. The money from

the state's Innovation Incentive Fund will enable the university's

School of Medicine to add an estimated 300 research and

technology jobs, 120 to be filled by the end of the year.

The Institute for Human Genomics was started by acclaimed husband and

wife geneticist team Margaret Pericak-Vance and Dr. Jeffery Vance, who

left Duke University for Miami in January 2007. They have since

brought with them more than 80 members of their team. Pericak-Vance

heads the institute. Vance will lead a new genetics department within

the medical school.

" What you're seeing today is just the beginning, " said Medical School

Dean Pascal Goldschmidt.

The university will now bring in experts in areas such as pediatrics

and neurology to partner with the institute and study the human genome

for clues as to individuals' susceptibility to diseases and conditions

such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and autism.

" I really think within the next two to three years we're going to have

major breakthrough on autism and the genes that cause it, "

Pericak-Vance predicted.

The money will lead to more than 1,200 direct and indirect jobs,

according to the state. Crist administration officials said the

institute would generate more than $3 billion for the economy over 20

years.

The university hopes the genetic institute will serve as a key

component of a proposed biotech center it is seeking to build in

downtown Miami. The center would rival the Scripps Florida campus now

under construction in Jupiter.

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