IU's Commitment to Indiana's Future
Documents
Life Sciences Strategic Plan (PDF, 289 KB)
Life Sciences Strategic Plan Presentation (PPT, 2.3 MB)
Strategic Plan
IU has achieved national recognition for its strength in life sciences research—now we have a bold new plan to focus our commitment in pursuit of preeminence in the life sciences.
Research Areas: A Summary of Goals and Actions
1. Analytical Chemistry and Analytical Technology
Goal: Enhance top-tier research program in analytical chemistry.
IU Actions
- Strengthen the world-class analytical chemistry faculty and program, especially by recruiting faculty in the area of bioanalytical technologies.
- Strengthen the Center for Proteomics Research and Development with additional engineering and computational staff and equipment upgrades.
- Obtain federal funding to operate national centers of excellence and national resource centers.
Benefits to Hoosiers
Research in this area is at the heart of achieving greater understanding of the particular chemicals and compounds that make up living systems. Analytical chemists invent tools that analyze the composition of living systems. These new inventions are especially valuable to Indiana businesses because they present opportunities for these businesses to build and sell these tools to other researchers worldwide.
2. Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry
Goal: Build research strength in organic chemistry and biochemistry to nationally competitive levels to complement and strengthen these top-ranked life sciences programs and to help support the state’s biotechnology industry.
IU Actions
- Rebuild a nationally competitive program in organic chemistry at IU Bloomington by recruiting outstanding faculty in synthetic organic chemistry.
- Establish a Center for Research in Chemical Synthesis at IU Bloomington.
- Build a world-class instrumentation infrastructure for organic chemistry and biochemistry.
- Create an Interdepartmental Biochemistry Graduate Program at IU Bloomington.
Benefits to Hoosiers
Organic chemistry and biochemistry form bridges from academic research to product development in industry. Research in these areas provides the keys to discovery of new drugs and new consumer products. Academic strengths in these areas will attract more business and industry to Indiana.
3. Cancer Biology
Goal: Become an international leader in cancer research and advanced clinical care.
IU Actions
- Achieve comprehensive designation status from the National Cancer Institute for the IU School of Medicine and the IU Cancer Center.
- Create new programs in health services research/epidemiology, molecular carcinogenesis, and gastrointestinal and ovarian cancers.
- Create a cancer biology program at IU Bloomington.
- Recruit additional outstanding faculty with expertise in cancer biology research.
Benefits to Hoosiers
Cancer is a leading killer of Hoosiers. In fact, Indiana ranks fourth in the nation in cancer deaths. The availability of innovative and effective cancer treatments will save many more lives.
4. Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders
Goal: Become a nationally recognized leader in research and clinical care related to diabetes and metabolic disorders.
IU Actions
- Establish within the IU School of Medicine the Indiana Center for Excellence in Diabetes.
- Recruit well-established researchers and faculty.
Benefits to Hoosiers
Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death of Indiana citizens. Currently 7.4 percent of Hoosiers (338,000 people) have diabetes. The more quickly we can find treatments for diabetes and its related metabolic disorders (obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease), the more likely we are to save patients from complications such as blindness, kidney disease, and disability caused by amputation.
5. Neurosciences
Goal: Build on IU's research programs in neurosciences so that they are ranked in the top tier nationally.
IU Actions
- Strengthen the collaborative research efforts between the Gill Center for Biomolecular Research at IU Bloomington and the Stark Neurosciences Research Institute at IUPUI.
- Recruit outstanding faculty in the areas of molecular neuroscience, neuronal plasticity, and/or recovery from spinal cord injury.
- Recruit outstanding faculty to conduct research in the following areas: pain and sensory systems, development neurobiology and regeneration, mechanisms of substance abuse and addiction, and neurodegenerative disorders.
Benefits to Hoosiers
Research in the neurosciences promises better understanding and treatment of a host of conditions that affect Hoosiers, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. It also offers insights into the causes of drug and alcohol addictions.
6. Model Systems for Biological Research
Goal: Expand and elevate already outstanding research programs on model biological systems to rank among the top 10 in the country.
IU Achievements
- Increase the number of life sciences faculty within the College of Arts and Sciences at IU Bloomington.
- Build additional high-quality research groups at IU Bloomington to work on important vertebrate model systems, such as mice and zebrafish.
- Create a Center for Synthesis in Evolutionary Studies to apply knowledge gained from model systems to the human condition.
- Reorganize life sciences units within the College of Arts and Sciences to form a School of Life Sciences.
Benefits to Hoosiers
With additional programs in model systems, IU would become one of the top destinations for the very best faculty and graduate students, which would translate into dividends for the state’s business and industry.
7. Personal Wellness and Health
Goal: Engage in research and education that will help Indiana’s residents to lead healthier, better, and longer lives.
IU Actions
- Educate the citizens of Indiana about the importance of exercise and proper nutrition.
- Reduce the prevalence of smoking, excessive use of alcohol and controlled substances, and risky sexual activities.
Benefits to Hoosiers
Happier, healthier citizens lead more productive lives. By focusing on personal wellness and health, IU and the State of Indiana could reduce the overall burden of health care costs and recover economic losses created by lost worker productivity. Good health is good for individuals, good for business, and good for the state.
For a complete list of IU's 15 life sciences goals, read the Life Sciences Strategic Plan (PDF, 289 KB)
