Making Maryland the CENTR of Nanobiotechnology

What's Nanobiotechnology?
Nanobiotechnology involves using advanced engineering to manipulate materials at the nanoscale - far, far smaller than the eye can see. Researchers are using tools available in this new, incredibly precise science to make advances on new medical treatments for cancer, HIV/AIDS, and other diseases. Nanobio was incorporated into more than $50 billion in manufactured goods in 2006, and this impact is expected to grow to $2.4 trillion by 2014.

Making Maryland the CENTR of Nanobiotechnology
Our state can become the flagship state for attracting new and innovative nanobiotechnology research, which in turn will create high-paying jobs, build local markets, stimulate our manufacturing bases, and strengthen the corporate tax base. In addition to prominent academic institutions like Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland, Maryland has the unique advantage of hosting federal facilities like those at NIH, FDA, the National Cancer Labs, NASA, Forts Meade and Detrick, and the Aberdeen Proving Grounds.

These potential collaborations are a big reason why Heather and Senate President Mike Miller sponsored and passed legislation in 2008 that created the Coordinating Emerging Nanobiotechnology Research (CENTR) Program.

Funding for the CENTR Program
These have been difficult times to fund state programs, even vital investments in Maryland's economic future. In 2009 — the only year CENTR was funded — approximately $3 million in research money was distributed to 12 industry industry-leading research projects. These recipients were selected competitively from more than one hundred applications, of which dozens were subject to extensive technical reviews. Each project received $250,000 in grant funding each. It’s time to devote resources again to making Maryland the CENTR of nanobiotechnology.

News and Resources
* The Daily Record: House begins work on O’Malley’s $34.2B 2012 budget proposal
* Gazette (2008): Nanobiotech funding gets push from lawmakers
* Takoma Voice (2007): No to Slots, Yes to Science