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[log in to unmask] X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12c) Wednesday, May 30, 2001 The Halifax Herald Limited Group wants 'world-class life sciences sector' in N.S. By Jennifer Hourihan A new partnership between Halifax's universities, hospitals and businesses hopes to bring health science industries to the area. "Our goal is to develop a world-class life sciences sector in Nova Scotia," said Dr. Noni MacDonald, dean of medicine at Dalhousie University and co-chairwoman of the newly created Life Sciences Development Association. Dr. MacDonald said the association will create a life sciences research village in Halifax. There are already several projects in place. The Business Development Centre at Dalhousie University links medical research with business opportunities. It has attracted $10 million in venture capital and created four new companies. The Genome Atlantic will conduct genomic research in the province. It has received $15 million in federal funding over the next five years. The Brain Repair Centre will bring a new MRI unit and research into brain diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's to Halifax's hospitals. Dr. MacDonald said the association will create a good environment for life sciences research, which will help the province attract top doctors and scientists as well as investment dollars. "What Nova Scotians are going to see out of this is a vibrant economy, good jobs and the recruitment and retention of first-class health providers," she said. George Iwama, director of the Institute for Marine Biosciences with the National Research Council and co-chairman of the association, said he hopes to increase the public's awareness of science. "One person came up to me and said, 'I'm never going to eat anything with DNA in it again,' " he said. "We are entering a dark age where the gap between science and the man on the street is huge." Arthur Carty, president of the National Research Council of Canada, said the life sciences have "no shortage of opportunities." Mr. Carty said the Ottawa region attracted $1.3 billion in venture capital using the same kind of strategy. http://www.herald.ns.ca/cgi-bin/home/displaystory?2001/05/30+144.raw+Metro+2001/05/30 *********** ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn