LifeTechnologies Corporation announced that it is collaborating with the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and US Oncology to sequence the genomes of 14 patients afflicted with triple negative breast cancer whose tumors have progressed despite multiple other therapies. The goal of this first-of-its-kind research collaboration is to demonstrate whether genomic sequencing of cancer tissue can provide clues for treatment strategies for these individuals.
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Shaping Discovery, Improving Life
Grant Winners
Grant Winners
Commitment to Philanthropy: The Life Technologies Foundation™ is dedicated to advancing science education and key scientific discoveries that use the application of biology to address societal needs.
The Foundation supports programs that accelerate the use of genomics to further healthcare, projects that advance medical education, and initiatives focused on providing biological solutions to some of society's most pressing challenges. By teaming with educators and researchers, the Foundation also strives to demystify the world of life science and empower today’s children to become tomorrow’s scientific leaders. Launched in 2008, the Life Technologies Foundation has committed approximately $5 million to causes that advance the understanding and applications of science.
The Foundation is a non-profit arm of Life Technologies Corporation.
Life Technologies Foundation Grantees (2009 not inclusive)
E.O Wilson Biodiversity Foundation
Life Technologies has given the E.O Wilson Biodiversity Foundation a grant to fund its online biology textbook, Life on Earth. The Foundation will finance the prototype chapter on the division of the cell. The E.O. Wilson Foundation is dedicated to preserving and understanding biological heritage.
PBS’ “To The Contrary”
Together PBS and Life Technologies will produce a three part documentary on “DNA as a Diagnostic Tool,” addressing new DNA technologies, sequencing and the public acceptance of genomic research.
John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics
The Life Technologies Foundation has awarded the Institute a grant to implement a multimedia campaign aimed at educating and informing the families of Black and Hispanic autism, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease patients in South Florida about genetic research. The Institute’s outreach program will be geared specifically at alerting these families about the need for participation in genomic studies.
The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
The Foundation grant will be used to create a museum exhibit on human cell biology, the importance of stem cells, and the impact of stem cell research in regenerative and personalized medicine at the Fleet Science Center, San Diego’s most heavily-visited museum.
United for Medical Research, the Aspen Institute and the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation
Together with Life Technologies these distinguished organizations will use the Foundation grant to bring opinion leaders and the media together at events that will explore issues related to the advancement of science.
University of North Texas Health Science Center for DNA-PROKIDS
The Foundation has awarded a grant to the University of North Texas Health Science Center to support the universal efforts of DNA-PROKIDS, an organization dedicated to supporting human identity testing to reunite missing and abducted children with their families. The program will develop a new DNA collection kit to distribute in developing countries. It will also be used to establish a DNA database to unite lost children with their parents and help countries understand how DNA can be used to solve crimes.
New York Academy of Sciences
The New Academy York Academy of Sciences has received a grant to train medical students and doctors in using genomics to better understand health and disease. This training will be conducted via on-line and in class curricula, and will also educate current and future doctors on the use of computerized patient records.
Science Museum, London England
The Foundation has awarded a grant to the Science Museum in London, England, one of the premiere scientific museums in the world, to refurbish and update the "Who Am I?" exhibit. The exhibit examines how modern science is transforming our understanding of what it means to be human, and will be focused on the Human Genome Project, regenerative medicine, 21st century medicine and using DNA for applications like forensics and population mapping.
Life Technologies Foundation Grantees (2008 not inclusive)
Aquatic Adventures Science Education Foundation
The Life Technologies Foundation provided a grant for the SEA Power High School Program to provide internships to inner-city youth. Each student's work experience closely resembles potential scientific career paths. The program's preliminary outcomes demonstrate over 80% continue their education in a university and 82% of the students who have declared majors have done so in scientific fields.
Center for Excellence in Education (CEE)
The Foundation supported the CEE to host a symposium concerning the critical importance of laboratory skills to scientific educational achievement. Participants from academic, governmental, organizational and industrial professions attended. Discussions were based around the state of laboratory skills in U.S. secondary schools, the hope being to develop an action plan to remedy this critical situation.
High Tech High, African Bushmeat Expedition
The African Bushmeat Expedition teaches students in the U.S. and East Africa advanced skills in molecular biology and conservation science, while assisting in the study and prevention of the African Bushmeat trade. High Tech High biotechnology students collaborated with community partners in Tanzania on the project. The students created a documentary film to demonstrate the impact high school teachers and students can have on the world. The film won the prestigious Environmental Film Impact award at the 2009 American Film Festival.
National Academies of Science and the Biotechnology Institute
The Foundation provided a grant to conduct a series of forums addressing the controversial nature of stem cell research in childhood education. Forums have already been conducted in Boston, Chicago and San Diego. Teachers leave this forum with a general understanding of the science and the ethical issues of stem cells, teaching techniques, as well as a set of resources to take back to their classrooms.
Medical College of Wisconsin
The Medical College of Wisconsin contacted the Foundation with a request to support their 2009 Women in Science program; a comprehensive program led by faculty, leadership and volunteers to address inequities facing women in the academic sciences. The program featured public events to draw attention to research projects led by women, and helped to link talented women faculty and students to community leaders.
The University of Buffalo Foundation
The iSciWNY Career Pathways in the Life Science program at the University of Buffalo is designed to attract local students and others to careers in the life sciences in Western New York. Foundation funding allows for new iSci orientation sessions, marketing materials and multimedia advertising. These efforts have helped promote awareness of the iSciWNY among students, science teachers, and guidance counselors. Special effort was made to reach the traditionally under-served populations within the City of Buffalo.
UCSD Foundation San Diego Festival
The Foundation is proud to support the University of California at San Diego’s first annual, month-long San Diego Science Festival. The 2009 festival showcased the role of science and technology in the lives, region, and future of San Diego. The festival enhanced of the public’s understanding of how critical science is to their every day lives, how vital the U.S. leadership role in science is, and how to support enhanced levels of science education.