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Comparative Medicine Institute

CMI-TPP Kicks off Innovative Research with a BaM!

November 28, 2017

By Dr. Scott Laster

The CMI Business and Medicine (BaM) Program debuted during the 2017 fall semester. This program provided CMI researchers with business advice from teams of students in the Master of Microbial Biotechnology (MMB) Program.  MMB students receive dual training in the science and business of biotechnology and are comfortable evaluating market potential, intellectual property, and the competitive landscape for biotechnology products and companies. CMI researchers submitted their ideas then met with their teams of MMB students to ensure the goals of the project were properly communicated.   Then, over the next month, the students used a variety of resources to evaluate the commercial value of each project.  Detailed final reports were delivered to each PI and the groups presented highlights in a combined meeting of student and PIs.  Each PI was extremely pleased with the results and was highly complimentary regarding the impact and value of the BaM Program to their research objectives.  More specifically, PIs gained information about regulatory environments in different countries and how to plan effectively for product release.  PIs also learned about disease application for their products and the costs associated with starting a new small business. Finally, PIs learned about companies already working in their area, and actually gained potential partners for their research projects.  Many thanks to Paul Hamilton, MMB Program leader, for making this happen!

2017 BaM projects, PIs, and MMB Student teams.

  1. Development of businesses for gene edited swine, Jorge Piedrahita PI, Katie Sandlin*, Hannah Webb, Sterling Riggs, Megan Mackowiak, Jacob Hyman, and Andrew Harmon.
  2. Natural compounds against flaviviruses, Frank Scholle and Scott Laster PIs, Zach Jernigan*, Ryan Overcash, Swetha Srinivasan, Esteban Niaves, Carly Elkins, and Chris Carlin.
  3. Alkylamides for treatment of allergy, Scott Laster PI, Melody Paye*, David, Majeski, Caty Metcalf, Briggs Hagler, Sarah Grigg, and Ryan Larsen.
  4. Development of a gluten assay with clinical application A, Robert Voyksner PI, Hannah Seddon*, Mackenzie Nelson, Jake Trimble, and Mark Buckles.
  5. Development of a gluten assay with clinical application B, Robert Voyksner PI, Vincent Green*, Brook Peery, James Rebenski, Rivers Baker, Anne Claire DenHartog, and Abi Nails.

*-Team lead