Center for Reproductive Biology (WSU)

WSU proposes two faculty members with expertise in reproductive biology who, along with technical support staff and laboratory equipment for targeted research, will create new jobs, improve the lives and health of Washington’s citizens, and provide rich opportunities for training new scientists.

Reproductive biology impacts all areas of the biological sciences from human health to environmental ecology. Research in this area addresses problems such as food production, endangered species, environmental toxicology, human disease (i.e. reproductive cancers and fertility), and the basic fitness of every plant and animal species in the state.

State problems such as the reduced salmon run, urban impact in the cities, environmental pollutants, and general human health can all be addressed with enhanced research and training in reproductive biology. Reproductive biology is also of increasing economic importance to the state, spawning growth in biomedical, biotechnology, and agricultural industries. Support of this area of science through the WSU Center for Reproductive Biology will address societal problems, attract additional outside investment, and create jobs within the state.

The Center for Reproductive Biology is an integrative interdisciplinary program already involving 40 faculty members in the Colleges of Sciences, Agriculture, and Veterinary Medicine. This proposal will increase the productivity of faculty by supporting core laboratories with centralized specific research services/procedures (e.g. histology/cell biology, molecular biology, tissue/pathology) and will facilitate the immediate dissemination of research findings to spur economic development.

The Center for Reproductive Biology provides solutions to many statewide problems, as well as creates jobs and business opportunities. Three new Washington biotech firms have already been established as a result of WSU Center for Reproductive Biology research. They employ about 30 people.

The Center has been successful in attracting grants and contracts. Most center research has been funded with non-state monies. State funding for core laboratories will allow WSU researchers to attract more outside grants. It is anticipated that for every dollar of support put into the Center, the ultimate return to the State and University could be more than $10 of extramural research support, bringing millions of additional research dollars to the state annually. Successful funding of this research cluster contributes to additional economic development, with an estimated 100 new jobs for scientists and technicians in the private sector within the upcoming biennium.

These programs provide rich opportunities for training the scientists the state will need as the biomedical and biotechnology fields grow.

The research findings in reproductive biology do more than generate economic activity. They can significantly improve the lives of Washington citizens now and in the future. Below are specific examples of the variety of program activities planned by the Center: