Current Research Initiatives
and Tech Transfer Statistics
Southern Illinois University Carbondale continues to strengthen and expand its research mission through new initiatives in three areas experiencing major growth nationwide: biotechnology, nanotechnology, and technology transfer/commercialization. SIUC is the only comprehensive research university in the southern half of Illinois, and its research contributions are improving the economy of the region and the state through enhancing agricultural productivity and human health, and creating new jobs.
Biotechnology and genomics: SIUC researchers in the College of Agricultural Sciences, College of Science, and School of Medicine are enhancing human health and agricultural productivity through such developments as:
- transgenic corn with improved nitrogen utilization and yield;
- genetic technologies for Soybean Cyst Nematode and soybean Sudden Death Syndrome (SCN, SDS) (through the Illinois Soybean Center)
- soy phytoestrogen genetic markers and nutritional therapies (again, through the Illinois Soybean Center);
- microbial bioremediation of hazardous materials;
- more rapidly growing foodfish (through the Fisheries and Illinois Aquaculture Center);
- new understanding of the genetic and molecular basis of diseases (e.g., cancer, Alzheimer's), including the discovery of anti-tumor genes.
Nanotechnology and materials research: Basic and applied research in materials sciences is carried out at SIUC in the College of Science, the College of Engineering, and the College of Applied Sciences and Arts. In these colleges and associated centers, including the Coal Research Center, the Materials Technology Center, and the NSF Center for Advanced Friction Studies, research activities include:
- half-metallic alloys for spintronics and solid-state refrigeration;
- biosensors and explosives detectors based on nanotechnology;
- "smart" materials, sensors, and devices from modified sol-gels;
- advanced composite materials for mining, machining, automotive/aviation, fuel-cell, and construction applications;
- nanoparticles for medical diagnosis and treatment; nanocomposite thin films;
- technologies for coal gasification and more-efficient hydrogen production;
- biochemical processes for conversion of CO2 to methanol.
Technology transfer: SIUC is increasingly active and successful in the field of tech transfer and commercialization. Over the past decade (FY98-FY07) we have had 181 inventions disclosed, issued 47 licenses/options, filed 90 patent applications, and received more than $2 million in royalties (figures include the School of Medicine, Springfield). Start-up companies based on the inventions of SIUC researchers include:
- Midwest Energy Group Inc., in Carbondale, IL, formed in 2007 to optimize and commercialize novel biodiesel production technology.
- BioInsite LLC, in Carbondale, IL, formed in 2004 to provide microbial solutions for in-situ bioremediation of hazardous materials such as perchlorate and benzene.
- Genetics and Agriculture Biotechnology Inc., in Carbondale, IL, formed in 2000 to use genetic markers (patent pending) to analyze soybean germplasm for resistance to SDS/SCN and develop high-speed genetic screening technologies, and provide genetic "libraries" to researchers.
| Selected Technology Transfer Statistics |
| 07 |
21 |
$524,584 |
5 |
18 |
4 |
| 06 |
20 |
$354,045 |
4 |
13 |
2 |
| 05 |
19 |
$466,300 |
5 |
9 |
4 |
| 04 |
15 |
$224,535 |
3 |
11 |
6 |
| 03 |
17 |
$157,726 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
| 02 |
20 |
$132,804 |
4 |
7 |
6 |
| 01 |
18 |
$108,630 |
4 |
6 |
4 |
| 00 |
18 |
$60,300 |
6 |
7 |
4 |
| 99 |
19 |
$48,245 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
| 98 |
14 |
$250,624 |
4 |
7 |
0 |
| 97 |
14 |
$235,047 |
5 |
5 |
0 |
| 96 |
8 |
$9,592 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
