Governor’s Bioscience Award Presented at Bio Nebraska Annual Meeting

(April 15, 2010; Omaha, NE) – Bio Nebraska Life Sciences Association celebrated a successful year at their 2010 Annual Meeting on April 15, 2010.  Bio Nebraska members and guests enjoyed the meeting, keynote presentations and award ceremony at the Embassy Suites in La Vista, Nebraska.

Keynote presentations were given by Marianne Clarke and Lisa Drake.  Ms. Clarke is the director of Battelle’s Technology Partnership Practice in Washington, D.C. Ms. Drake is the director of the state and local government affairs team for Monsanto.

Governor Dave Heineman presented the 2010 Governor’s Bioscience Award, created by Nebraska artist and Hastings College art professor, Tom Kreager, to Lyle Middendorf of LI-COR Biosciences and John Brumbaugh, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

“Lyle Middendorf and John Brumbaugh led the collaboration between LI-COR Biosciences and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln,” said Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman. “More than 130 technology jobs have been created at LI-COR Biosciences as a result of this collaboration, which produced one of the first automated DNA sequencing instruments and resulted in equipment that is used in research labs around the world. Nebraska’s bioscience companies are at the forefront of technological innovation. I’m pleased to join with Bio Nebraska in honoring the contributions of these individuals.”

Beginning in the 1980s, Lyle Middendorf and John Brumbaugh led the collaboration between LI-COR Biosciences and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to develop instrumentation systems for molecular biology and genetics research. This collaboration led to a new product line for LI-COR for the commercialization of  automated DNA sequencing systems and eventually protein analysis and small animal imaging systems based on near-infrared fluorescence. Based in Lincoln, Nebraska, LI-COR Biosciences employs more than 300 people worldwide.

“The bioscience industry, which grew in Nebraska by 19.2% between 2001 and 2008, is a great opportunity for our state. Our annual meeting is the time we celebrate the strengths and opportunities that exist statewide,” stated Bio Nebraska Executive Director, Amy Recker. “Monsanto’s footprint in Nebraska and the Governor’s Bioscience Award recipients are examples of successful collaborations between our research institutions and industry. We expect this activity to grow in the years to come.”

Coordinated by Bio Nebraska, the 2010 meeting was the third Bio Nebraska annual meeting.  More information about upcoming events and membership can be found at www.bionebraska.org.

About Bio Nebraska

The mission of Bio Nebraska is to be the champion of biotechnology and to advocate for its member organizations promoting academic, industry and government partnerships to foster the growth of life sciences within Nebraska.  Nebraska biotechnology researchers expand the boundaries of science to benefit mankind by providing better healthcare, enhanced agriculture, and a cleaner and safer environment, creating opportunities for economic development within the state.

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