UC's impact — public investment at work 
Nurturing biotech breakthroughs
UC researchers have played a critical role in founding and developing the biotechnology industry, advancing health and creating jobs.
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Applying biotechnology to improve health
UC biotechnology breakthroughs are making a difference in people's lives. See video of how UC Berkeley researchers are providing new hope in the fight against malaria.
“The university’s research enterprise, coupled with our ability to quickly and effectively move inventions to commercialization, ensures that we remain a critical and vital component of the economic engine that is driving innovation and keeping California competitive.”
-- William Tucker, executive director, UC Research Administration and Technology Transfer
Starting a revolution: UC San Francisco
At least 60 California biotechnology companies — including two of the largest, Genentech and Chiron — have been successfully launched by UCSF faculty, alumni or by their scientific inventions. These companies employ more than 13,000 people. In addition, scientists from these companies have spun off many additional startups.
Building a biotech hotbed: UC San Diego
UC San Diego has played a key role in seeding one of the largest, most dense biotech sectors in the nation. UCSD was ranked among the world’s top universities for its prowess in developing biotechnology into medical treatments, drugs and other commercial applications in a Milken Institute report.
Campus links:
Read more about how UC researchers are making a difference through biotechnology.
- UC researchers featured at BIO International Convention
- Universities drive biotech advancement
- Read about UC’s California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences
- Learn about UC Discovery Grants in biotechnology
- Graduate training grants spark new discoveries in biotechnology
- Company co-founded by UC Berkeley professor develops new biochip that could replace animal testing
- UC Davis, Chile sign pacts to collaborate
- UC Davis researchers discover genes for frost tolerance in wheat
- Drug has ability to cure type of leukemia, UC Irvine scientists find
- UCLA scientists’ biotech firm to be acquired by Astellas Pharma Inc.
- UCLA partners with Abraxis BioScience to develop new nanobiotechnologies
- UC San Diego researchers uncover key trigger for potent cancer-fighting marine product
- UC San Francisco, Pfizer form alliance to advance a broad range of research
- Leading UC Santa Barbara molecular biologist appointed to endowed chair in biotechnology
- New HIV browser co-developed by UC Santa Cruz gives researchers access to valuable data from vaccine trials
Latest budget news
Did you know?
- UC faculty and alumni have founded about 1 out of every 3 biotech companies in California.
- More than 1,000 California biotech, high-tech and other innovative R&D-intensive companies put UC research to work every day.
Resources
- UC's impact: key points (pdf)
- 2009-10 budget process for UC (pdf)
- Discussion of 2009-10 budget issues (pdf)
- Funding higher education: An investment in California's economy (pdf)
- Campaign for College Opportunity issues report on impact of higher education cuts to California
- UC, CSU, CCC leaders: Invest in public higher education (pdf)
- UC Academic Senate’s report on impact of proposed budget cuts (pdf)
- Student fee fact sheet (pdf)
- 2008-09 state budget
- Archived budget information
Related links:
