When Universities Unite

When Universities Unite European academic institutions are banding together to help commercialize discoveries. But in such a high-stakes game, can all players get along? By Bob Grant © Matt Foster 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 t

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By Bob Grant

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 ...

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Meet the Author

Bob Grant
From 2017 to 2022, Bob Grant was Editor in Chief of The Scientist, where he started in 2007 as a Staff Writer. Before joining the team, he worked as a reporter at Audubon and earned a master’s degree in science journalism from New York University. In his previous life, he pursued a career in science, getting a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology from Montana State University and a master’s degree in marine biology from the College of Charleston in South Carolina. Bob edited Reading Frames and other sections of the magazine.
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