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New Centers of Economic Excellence approved
6/12/2008

The Review Board that oversees the state's endowed chairs research program voted this week to award seven new Centers of Economic Excellence (CoEE) for a total of $25 million. The CoEE Program provides incentives for the state's three research universities (Medical University of South Carolina, University of South Carolina and Clemson University) to create Centers of Economic Excellence, along with associated endowed professorships, in high-technology areas likely to enhance the state's economy.

The approval of these new Centers means that research related to several emerging high-tech, high-growth industries will now be conducted in South Carolina. The goal of this research is to generate well-paying jobs and enhance economic opportunities for the people of South Carolina.

In 2002, The South Carolina General Assembly appropriated $200 million from the South Carolina Education Lottery Account to fund the program. Each CoEE is awarded between $2 million to $5 million in state funds, which must be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis with non-state funds raised from corporate or private individual donations/partnerships or grants from federal agencies.

To receive award funding for a CoEE, the three research universities submit proposals that undergo a three-tier review process. Each proposal is first subjected to a technical review by field experts. After studying the technical review scores, the CoEE Review Board decides which proposals qualify for evaluation by an onsite review panel. This external review panel is composed mainly of senior research officials from Association of American University institutions. The review panel visits all three S.C. research universities to hear presentations on all proposals and also to conduct interviews of investigators and other university administration. The review panel submits a final report with recommendations for award funding to the CoEE Review Board. At its final quarterly meeting of each fiscal year, the Review Board votes on which new Centers of Economic Excellence to fund.

The seven newly approved CoEEs are as follows:

CoEE in Optoelectronics (Clemson)

State Award: $2 million

Endowed Chairs Awarded: 1

The field of optoelectronics deals with electronic devices that emit, transform, transmit or sense light. Common applications for optoelectronics technology include communications, data storage and sensors.

The Optoelectronics CoEE will focus on improving the devices, systems and protocols used in high-speed optical communication networks. These networks are critical to South Carolina's economy because knowledge-based industries, as well as consumers, rely on communication networks that are fast, easily accessible and have a large capacity for data transmission.

The Optoelectronics CoEE will be part of Clemson's Center for Optical Materials Science and Engineering Technologies (COMSET). Clemson has a strong presence in the area of optical materials, and the Optoelectronics CoEE will build on that strength.

In its review of the merits of this CoEE, the Onsite Review Panel said: "We are...impressed with the Clemson spirit of collaboration and their dedication to breaking down barriers to collaboration....The center will add to an area that Clemson is establishing as a major strength and has a high likelihood of success."

CoEE in Nanoenvironmental Research and Risk Assessment (USC)

State Award: $3 million

Endowed Chairs Awarded: 1

Nanotechnology involves the manipulation of matter on a molecular scale. Nanoparticles can behave very differently than larger particles of the same matter because of their higher surface-to-volume ratios and higher reactivities with other matter. These different properties can be useful in many applications, from health and beauty products to electronics. However, because nanomaterials are small enough to cross cell membranes, some of these materials are potentially toxic to living things, including humans.

For example, silver nanoparticles are added to some socks as an anti-bacterial agent. According to the American Chemical Society, these nanoparticles are released into wash water when socks are laundered, and then travel to sewer systems. Research has found that silver nanoparticles can kill benign bacteria used for wastewater treatment. Sludge from wastewater treatment plants, used as fertilizer, could also be affected, as excess silver nanoparticles in this sludge could prove toxic to crops.

This CoEE will focus on the impact of nanotechnology on the environment, specifically, the scientific, technological, health, economic, legal and societal effects. The CoEE will build on USC's strong existing program of research in nanoscience, which includes the extensive facilities of the USC NanoCenter, the recently established Keck Laboratory for nanobioparticle research, and many partnerships with federal agencies and laboratories.

This CoEE will give South Carolina an excellent opportunity to be a national leader in nanoenvironmental research and commercial applications. There is a growing demand for environmental health services in nanotechnology manufacturing and product assessment. Risk assessment tools will be needed to assure that socioeconomic benefits of nanotechnology are delivered without unacceptable risks of harmful effects on living systems and the environment.

An endowed chair in Nanoenvironmental Research and Risk Assessment will lead the CoEE.

The Onsite Review Panel commented: "When combined with the recently appointed endowed chairs in nanoelectronics and in nanocomposites associated with USC's NanoCenter, South Carolina is well positioned to make major contributions at this critical juncture in the development of nanotechnology-enabled products." 

CoEE in Nuclear Science and Energy (USC)

State Award: $3 million

Endowed Chairs Awarded: 1

This CoEE will focus on the design, development and analysis of advanced materials that will be required to extend the life of existing nuclear power reactors and to develop a new generation of more efficient reactors.

No nuclear reactors have come on line in the United States in more than a decade, but as a new group of plants is being planned nationwide, USC is poised to be a major academic leader in this area, especially as most nuclear engineering academic programs throughout the country have been terminated.

South Carolina is already a national leader in nuclear power, generating 56% of its electricity via nuclear reactors. Within a 120-mile radius of Columbia, 11 large commercial nuclear power plants provide more than 10% of the nation's nuclear-generated energy. At the same time, USC has a strong presence in the clean energy/alternative fuels arena. This CoEE will help make South Carolina a force in finding solutions to the United State's current reliance on energy production that results in pollution and other negative effects on the environment.

An endowed chair in Nuclear Power and Advanced Materials will lead the CoEE.

The Onsite Review Panel reported seeing "rich opportunities for technology development and transfer from this program. As the nation expands its inevitable commitment to increased nuclear power generation, the industry will need the solutions developed by this CoEE."

CoEE in Cancer Stem Cell Biology and Therapy (MUSC/Clemson)

State Award: $5 million

Endowed Chairs Awarded: 2

Cancer stem cells are adult stem cells that have the ability to reproduce themselves and develop into cancer. This CoEE will focus on developing new technologies for isolating, growing and manipulating these cancer cells, as well as finding ways to use adult stem cells from bone marrow or organs when treating cancer. The work of this CoEE will generate further understanding of cancer stem cells and ways to eradicate them without harming healthy cells. It could also lead to the engineering of healthy adult stem cells that can replace cancerous cells in the body.

Two endowed chairs will lead the CoEE's research. One will be a senior translational biomedical scientist. The second will be a biomedical engineering scientist with expertise in tissue engineering.

The Onsite Review Panel described the CoEE as "a cutting edge program in the new field of cancer stem cell biology and therapy."

CoEE in Renal Disease Biomarkers (MUSC)

State Award: $5 million

Endowed Chairs Awarded: 2

This COEE will address the need for reliable and prognostic biomarkers, or biological indicators, for acute and chronic renal (kidney) disease. Statewide, medical practice-based networks will conduct proteomic analysis to identify candidate biomarkers of renal disease.

This area of research is especially relevant in South Carolina. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, and South Carolina has a higher rate of diabetes than the U.S. average. More than 9% of South Carolinians have diabetes, compared to 7% nationally, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Research from this CoEE has the potential to reduce health care costs and bring revenue to the state through intellectual property development and commercialization of newly identified biomarkers for kidney disease.

Two endowed chairs will lead the CoEE; one in biomarker discovery and the other in translational research.

The Onsite Review Panel noted: "The results have the potential to significantly impact clinical practice and health in South Carolina and elsewhere....The plan for implementation is sound, clearly articulated and well justified....The potential is high for positive impact on health and economy in South Carolina." 

CoEE in Advanced Tissue Biofabrication (MUSC/USC/Clemson)

Endowed Chairs Awarded: 3

State Award: $5 million

The long-term vision for this CoEE involves industrial-scale production of complex tissues and organs. Researchers will focus their work on a technique called "bioprinting," which is used to assemble human tissues and organs by layering living cells and a hydrogel, or polymer.

Previously, production of bioprinted tissue has been limited to cartilage and similar structures that do not require blood flow. CoEE researchers aim to generate a vascular supply for bioprinted tissue that would allow a larger variety of structures and organs to be created in this manner.

The CoEE in Advanced Tissue Biofabrication will add to South Carolina's growing program in bioengineering, which includes the CoEE in Regenerative Medicine and the South Carolina Bioengineering Alliance. 

Three endowed chairs, one each at MUSC, USC, and Clemson, will lead the CoEE.

From the Onsite Review Panel's report: "South Carolina is well positioned to make major contributions in the basic science and technology of in vitro tissue engineering."

Cyber-Institute CoEE (Clemson)

State Award: $2 million

Endowed Chairs Awarded: 1

Cyber infrastructure (CI) is the term for hardware, software, and networking tools that make it easier to do research that requires the ability to store, process and transmit large amounts of data. CI helps researchers organize and coordinate data, enhancing their ability to manage projects and collaborate with colleagues who may be in different locations.

This CoEE will be led by an endowed chair CI specialist who will lead research that involves developing prototype CI equipment and programs and then testing and evaluating them. Clemson's leadership in CI will allow for stronger collaborative environments for research, education and technology transfer at Clemson and throughout South Carolina.

The Onsite Review Panel noted: "The cyber-infrastructure that Clemson has in place is impressive. With the connectivity across the state and the connection to National Lambda Rail, Clemson and South Carolina will be in an enviable position.... The probability of success is high for this effort, and it is most timely."

About the CoEE Program

The S.C. Centers of Economic Excellence Program was established by the South Carolina General Assembly in 2002, funded through South Carolina Education Lottery proceeds. The legislation authorizes the state's three public research institutions, the Medical University of South Carolina, Clemson University and the University of South Carolina, to use state funds to create Centers of Economic Excellence in research areas that will advance South Carolina's knowledge-based economy. Each Center of Economic Excellence is awarded from $2 million to $5 million in state funds, which must be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis with non-state funds. The program also supports CoEE endowed chairs, world-renowned scientists who lead the Centers of Economic Excellence. By investing in talent and technology, the CoEE Program is designed to fuel the state's knowledge-based economy, resulting in high-paying jobs and an improved standard of living in South Carolina.