The New York Capital Region Research Alliance recently showcased leading-edge biomedical research resulting from the unprecedented regional collaboration between Albany Medical Center, Rensselaer, and the University at Albany.

Over the past two years, collaborations between researchers at the three institutions resulted in advances in the fight against cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as the development of new medical technologies and other initiatives. The projects were supported with a total of nearly $900,000 of grant funding from the Alliance.

The NY CAP Research Alliance was established in 2012 by Albany Medical Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the University at Albany with a $950,000 grant as part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Regional Council initiative. Created to foster biomedical research among the Capital Region’s leading academic research institutions, the Alliance was a first-round Capital Region Economic Development Council priority project.”

Funded through Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council, the NY CAP Research Alliance held its second annual symposium Oct. 23-24, titled “Advancing a Cooperative Translational Medicine Research Paradigm in the Capital Region.” The two-day symposium featured presentations by 12 research groups that received seed funding from the Alliance.

Through these collaborations, the researchers attracted national grant funding, published important research results, developed patent applications, and created new partnerships, including:

Funding

• 1 National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant received
• 
4 additional major grant proposals submitted to NIH, National Science Foundation, and Department of Defense

Published Research
• 7 accepted papers in leading scientific journals
• 4 manuscripts under review by scientific journals
• 8 presentations at national meetings and conferences

Intellectual Property
• 2 provisional patent applications
• 1 international patent application

Partnerships
• 
3 new partnerships with Veterans Health Administration hospitals
• 
1 new partnership with Center for Disability Services in Albany
• 
Industry interest from major health device companies and manufacturers

“Today’s symposium reflects the Capital Region’s extraordinary potential to produce advances in biomedical research through collaboration between remarkable research institutions,” said Albany Medical Center President and CEO James Barba. “Under the leadership of Governor Cuomo, our three institutions’ work to improve the delivery of health care will help develop and attract new businesses and create jobs within our region.”

“By helping advance the fight against cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, enabling key steps toward the development of new medical technology, and pushing forward the frontiers of scientific knowledge, the NY CAP Research Alliance is demonstrating the importance of regional collaboration in high-impact biomedical research,” said President Shirley Ann Jackson. “At Rensselaer, we are dedicated to addressing the complex and interconnected global challenges that affect every citizen of every nation. We are pleased to partner with the other NY CAP Research Alliance member organizations, and we are enthusiastic about the initial results of these collaborations.”

“Established two years ago as part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council initiative, the NY CAP Research Alliance leverages the biomedical expertise in our region and promotes a collaborative platform for our researchers,” said University at Albany President Robert Jones. “The University at Albany is pleased to continue this innovative initiative with Albany Medical Center and Rensselaer, and looks forward to the development of new scientific advancements that will lead to commercialization opportunities and jobs for our region.”

The NY CAP Research Alliance was established in 2012 by Albany Medical Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the University at Albany with a $950,000 grant as part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Regional Council initiative. Created to foster biomedical research among the Capital Region’s leading academic research institutions, the Alliance was a first-round Capital Region Economic Development Council priority project.
See more at: www.nycapresearchalliance.org