Dose of strenght for the pharmaceutical field

This article is reproduced by CienciaPR with permission from the original source.

PDF versionPDF version
By Emma Fernández Repollet / Special for Business - El Nuevo Dia endi.com The recent announcement on the construction of the Molecular Sciences building of the University of Puerto Rico, that will lodge 90,000 square feet of high capacity laboratories, not only is an endorsement to the scientific research for benefit of the humanity, but also a platform for the economic development of the Country. One example is enough: the pharmaceutical industry. This sector is responsible for 25% of our gross national product. As they know, that industry is transforming. Currently, it’s shifting from chemical drugs to drugs based on organic or biotechnological compounds that are better for the people. These new medicines, demand, for their formulation and experimentation, much more sophisticated skills. For that reason the pharmaceutical companies, like Amgen, Lilly and Abbott, will recruit more doctoral degrees in sciences in the next years. Biotechnology also requires greater interaction with caliber investigators like the ones that will work in Molecular Sciences. In this interaction mutual benefits are obtained: the industries are surrounded by the best talents and the universities see knowledge products turned to products and procedures that will benefit society. For that reason the biotechnological industries are located near the research universities. However, the formation of investigators for Molecular Sciences and other similar efforts is an intention that must be born and be developed in the superior schools and even earlier. Doctoral students of 2015 seat today in the science classrooms of our high schools. For that reason, taking care of the necessities of those students and their teachers is part of the same effort that takes to the construction of Molecular Sciences. In order to assure the best basic scientific formation for the students, the University supports project ALACIMA, jointly with the Department of Education and the support of the National Foundation of Sciences. The project looks aims for the qualification of the sciences and mathematics teachers of the public system. We invested $35 million between 2003 and 2008. We want that the students arrive at the University with an interest in science and capacities to approach it. The talent of our people ensures success. The facilities of Molecular Sciences, first in their class in Puerto Rico, are fundamental for our scientific and technological development. As well, the strength in science and technology are vital for the world-wide competitiveness of Puerto Rico. The author is vice-president of Research and Technology of the University of Puerto Rico.

Content Categories: