Inauguration of international Medical Biotechnology Research Center at the University of Southern Denmark
Medical Biotechnology Center (MBC)
On October 21st 2004, the University of Southern Denmark inaugurates the Medical biotechnology Centre (MBC), a new research centre.
The centre will focus on biomedical research and in particular on the molecular analysis of disease mechanisms. Available space and positions has, from the beginning, been subject to great interest and competition. Seven professors have been appointed by the University of Southern Denmark and will be based at the new centre along with their research groups. All representing cutting edge research in disease areas such as cancer, sclerosis, arthritis, CNS, cardiovascular diseases, infections and stem cell research.
The key strengths at MBC are the combination of the unique technologies mastered/comprised by the individual research groups. The interdisciplinary approach contributes to obtaining new knowledge on human cells and protein functions that may contribute to the development new treatments.
MBC has succeeded in attracting several strong profiles. The seven professors are: Henrik Ditzel; Matthias Dobbelstein; Bente Finsen; Uffe Holmskov; Niels A. Jensen; Moustapha Kassem and Trevor Owens. The Centre will from day one have an international profile.
"We have put great emphasis on putting together groups with no direct competition. However, at the same time such groups need to have shared areas of research in order to benefit from each other. We expect new scientific results and synergies to grow in a constellation such as MBC, says Mogens H?rder, Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences.
The organisational structure of the Centre is heavily inspired by the pioneer sprit and dynamics to be found in biotechnology SME's. One of the key conditions at MBC is that each research group has to generate own research funding.
According to Mogens H?rder, the three primary goals of the centre are:
- to professionalize university research
- to educate researchers at the highest level
- strengthen industry collaborations
Each research group typically consists of 15-20 young researchers, technical staff and students, all working closely together in state of the art labs. In the new 5.300m2 building, each group has their own 'suite' with office and lab facilities. Additionally the building offers shared facilities to enhance synergy amongst the research teams.
MBC is located in Winsl?wparken, close to Odense University Hospital (Denmark's largest research hospital), which also comprises experimental biomedical health research at the University of Southern Denmark, and thus forming a unique environment for research groups at MBC.
The MBC building has been awarded for its architecture.
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