Researchers at the University of Arizona and Arizona State University have received $2 million in funding from the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) to collaborate on biomedical research projects.

The grant, which encourages the two universities to work together to advance human health, aims to accelerate moving research discoveries to the clinic in areas such as asthma, Parkinson's disease, valley fever, and cancer.

"This new collaborative endeavor brings together some of the brightest minds in Arizona to tackle a number of important health care needs and further stimulate the rapid statewide expansion of biomedical research," said Jonathan Fink, vice president of research and economic affairs at ASU.

The joint projects will receive funding in the next year, with researchers at ASU's Biodesign Institute and UA's BIO5 Institute receiving nearly $1.2 million for four of the 10 projects.

"BIO5 and Biodesign have complementary strengths that are being combined for the benefit of the state of Arizona," said BIO5 Director Vicki Chandler.

The remaining $800,000 has been designated for six projects at the two universities, including research in chemistry, engineering, radiology, medicine, basic sciences, and optics.

The ABOR funding comes from the Technology Research Infrastructure Fund (TRIF), which generates money through a state sales tax to promote research and technology-based projects at the state's universities.

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For more information:

"$2M grant promotes UA-ASU research efforts," Tucson Citizen, 03/02/2007

"ASU, UA awarded $2 million to fund joint biomedical research projects," ASU press release, 03/01/2007