ULM and Pennington Biomedical Research enter innovative agreement | ULM Forum 12-9-11

Two research engines have agreed to join forces and explore geriatric and dementia research for the betterment of Louisiana.

 

The University of Louisiana at Monroe and Pennington Biomedical Research Center signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Baton Rouge that will utilize each institution’s expertise and also greatly benefit ULM students and faculty at both institutions.

 

ULM pharmacy and gerontology faculty will work with Pennington faculty to expand existing sponsored research at both sites.

 

This effort will involve studying the social, physiological, cellular, molecular, and genetic causes and effects of dementia. This collaboration will add to the partnership the two institutions already share in obesity research.

 

The new partnership creates research opportunities that may not be possible otherwise, said ULM Pharmacy Dean Benny Blaylock.

 

Blaylock added, "This collaboration will be of significant benefit in that both institutions will combine considerable research expertise and infrastructure not available at either one alone. In addition, this partnership provides an opportunity for enhanced clinical research and participation of our clinical faculty and pharmacy students in new and ongoing drug studies."

 

Opened in 1988, the Pennington Center now houses 53 laboratories that span the Center's three programs - Basic Research, Clinical Research, and Population Science – 19 Core Service laboratories, inpatient and outpatient clinics, a research kitchen, an administrative area, and more than $20 million in technologically advanced equipment.

 

The Center was expanded in 1993 to include the C.B. Pennington Jr. Conference Center, now the C.B. Pennington Jr. Building, residence apartments, and an exercise and fitness facility.

 

More than 80 faculty members and over 600 physicians, scientists, and support personnel focus their research efforts on 10 research program areas: Epidemiology and Prevention, Physical Activity and Health, Cancer, Diabetes, Obesity, Neurodegeneration, Genomics and Molecular Genetics, Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Neurobiology, and Nutrient Sensing and Signaling.