Anticipating the rapid growth of the biotechnology industry, the Dasan Bio-Regulon Valley Project Group organized a new center for biotechnology industry to establish a stronger link between industry and the university. The opening ceremony of the Biotechnology Transfer Center (Director: Prof. Kim Do-man, School of Biological Sciences and Technology) was held on June 10. The Biotechnology Center is an outreach arm of the University, providing technical support for biotechnology enterprises and expanding educational opportunities for individuals seeking careers in the life sciences. The Center will serve as a catalyst in the commercial development of biotechnology and biomedical technology through collaborative research, expert consulting, open forums, and undergraduate training and placement in Gwangju and Jeonnam.
The two-story building for the new research center, whose combined floor space is more than 187 pyong (617 square meters), houses offices, laboratories, and product development control rooms, etc. The facility includes a great number of advanced technical equipments such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography (LC). The Center's mission is to provide long-term economic benefit to Gwangju and Jeonnam through support of biotechnology research, development and commercialization nationwide. The Center will be a focal point for the bioscience and biotechnology community, providing networking and educational events, continually developing web-based resources, addressing public policy, and analyzing resource and funding issues. The Center will also communicate with those outside of the industry. Through interaction with the media, political leaders, key government agencies, and economic development associations, the Center aims to educate others on the benefits delivered by the biosciences.
CNU has been focusing on a new phase of development for the university specialization in biotechnology. In line with its development plan, a special project plan for "Dasan Bio-Regulon Valley Formation" was set up and chosen as one of the '2003 Local University Development Projects' by the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development. CNU will be provided with financial support from the MOE for the next five years. In 2003, the first year of financial aid, CNU received 1,839 million won for the project.
The project of 'Dasan Bio-Regulon Valley' aims to develop functional materials for bio-regulation from abundant living organisms in Jeonnam region and to foster high value-added bio-industry. Based on the project implementation, Jeonnam can be a hub of the world's bio-industry.