Biotechnology

Many experts cite that biotechnology research will provide one of the most important scientific and technological breakthroughs for the 21st Century. Fayetteville has all the pieces in place to become one of the leaders in biotechnology research and innovation. The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville is at the forefront of biotechnology through the following research centers:

• Center for Protein Structure and Function
• Center for Sensing Technology Research
• Institute of Food Science and Engineering

These pioneering institutions of biotechnology research provide unlimited opportunity for industry partnerships in such fields as biomedical research, bio-sensor technology, and bio-foods. These centers underpin the University of Arkansas's research into biotechnology and they encourage industry partnerships to create synergies to further all areas of biotechnology.

Center for Protein Structure and Function

Fundamental research into protein structure and function is a central biomedical research area at the University of Arkansas that is crucial to the emerging field of structure-based drug discovery and design. Research is now being conducted to map and better understand the human genome. Protein structure and function determination is the key to this genomic research for improvements in human health. The University of Arkansas is committed to enhancing efforts in protein structure and function, by hiring new faculty, acquiring new instrumentation, conducting extensive award winning research, and constructing new chemistry and biology research buildings.

The Center for Protein Structure and Function has over 20 faculty and 50 graduate and postdoctoral students trained in the following:

• X-ray crystallography
• protein NMR spectroscopy
• mass spectrometry, protein folding
• computational chemistry
• rapid-laser kinetic analysis
• chemical synthesis
• drug discovery and design

The Center for Sensing Technology Research

The Center for Sensing Technology and Research (CSTAR) is a cohesive, high-impact program directed toward fundamental and applied research in new bio-sensor technology. CSTAR is a vehicle for cross-disciplinary interaction of students, researchers, and companies resulting in highly effective and rapid implementation of new sensors in a variety of applications.

With the current sense of urgency in the sensor field concerning bioterrorism, chemical warfare, and homeland security, CSTAR has the resources to make a difference in these and other areas.
To that end, the goal of CSTAR is to pursue fundamental research in sensing technology from the conceptual to implementation stages. Synergistic interaction with industrial participants provides real world applications in need of advanced sensing technology. Current industrial partners include Eastman Chemical Company, Danaher Tool Group, and the local Beaver Water District.

Institute of Food Science and Engineering

The Institute of Food Science and Engineering (IFSE) was established to better focus the research and extension expertise of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture on food industry issues and challenges. The Institute has successfully done so by promoting alliances between the food industry and the university. Additionally, it serves as the primary entity in the state for research, graduate education, and extension to help ensure that:

• the food supply is high quality, safe and nutritious
• value is added to raw agricultural products to enhance economic development
• nutritional needs of society are understood, communicated, and met.

The Institute of Food Science and Engineering assists companies in framing issues, focusing efforts and solving problems. Industry has supported this approach; the Institute of Food Science and Engineering has partnered with over sixty different companies (representing twenty-five different states and five foreign countries). Many of these projects are multi-year, multiple stage investigations and have resulted in more than 108 publications by affiliated scientists. The center welcomes opportunities to team with industry for research into all related disciplines in food science and engineering.