French biochemist Charles Pineau was an expert in proteomics at the turn of the 21st century, when the field was in its infancy. The University of Rennes 1 researcher "knew some technical tricks about proteomics," but lacked the tools to translate his unique knowledge into a commercial product. A proteomics platform that integrated the latest chemical assays and computer analyses might help conduct cutting-edge research and refine the technology, but Pineau just didn't have the resources to assemble such a facility.
Then came OUEST-genopole. The consortium of universities, life science companies, and government research organizations covering western France attracts academic collaborators to "technological core facilities," where they can develop commercial products while using the latest technology and exchanging ideas with colleagues. OUEST-genopole provided money from regional, national, and municipal sources, as well as from private foundations, to help build a 500-square meter proteomics lab that would form ...
