ANN ARBOR---The University of Michigan will receive $5 million from the Parke Davis Pharmaceutical Research Division of Warner-Lambert Company to help the University establish a new Program in Bioinformatics. This interdisciplinary program will offer graduate education and support pilot research studies in the emerging scientific field of bioinformatics, one of the areas highlighted in the U-M's Life Sciences Initiative.
The Warner-Lambert investment matches the U-M Health System's commitment, announced in October 1998 by Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D. Computers, staff support, a classroom and new research laboratories will be located in the U-M Medical School.
Bioinformatics merges recent advances in molecular biology and genetics with advanced computer science technology. The goal is increased understanding of the complex web of interactions linking the individual components of a living cell to the integrated behavior of the whole organism.
"We are very pleased that the U-M is willing to begin a graduate level education and research program in this important area," said Wendell Wierenga, Ph.D., senior vice president for Worldwide Pre-Clinical Research, Development and Technologies for the Parke Davis Pharmaceutical Research Division of Warner-Lambert. "Bioinformatics incorporates many disciplines and specialties and requires a unique cross-training environment. Trained scientists in this area are essential to accomplishing our goal of discovering and developing novel drugs from gene to target to patient in the next decade. The opportunity to do this collaboratively with the University will benefit all of us immensely."
"This partnership with our colleagues at Warner-Lambert/Parke Davis is part of a
broad relationship between the company and the University," said Omenn. "It
reflects our mutual recognition of the growing importance of research and
education in this rapidly developing field of sci
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Contact: Sally Pobojewski
pobo@umich.edu
734-647-1844
University of Michigan
17-Sep-1999