The Texas Institute for Genomic Medicine at Texas A&M University (TIGM), which will make Texas an international focal point for research and job growth in life sciences, recently broke ground. TIGM is a collaboration of the state, Texas A&M University System and Lexicon Genetics, a world leader in genome mapping.

In July 2005, Texas Gov. Rick Perry announced a $50 million Texas Enterprise Fund grant to establish the institute.

“This facility was made possible because of the groundbreaking work of Lexicon Genetics, because of the vision of our higher education leaders, and because the state of Texas committed $50 million from the Texas Enterprise Fund recognizing that genetics research will lead to life-saving medical treatments and therapies,” said Perry. “The purpose of this institute is not to study mice, but to cure man.”

A primary goal of the institute is to create a “knockout mouse” with a specific gene turned off, so that scientists can learn the function of that gene and later develop treatments for human diseases and conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, birth defects and cancer.

To meet that goal, Lexicon will use $35 million of the Enterprise Fund grant to create two copies of its knockout mouse cell line library, including one housed at Texas A&M. TIGM’s resources will be available to researchers from across Texas; they will also be open to members of the private sector who will use the knowledge gained at the Institute to develop new technologies.

TIGM will also help Texas draw down millions more in federal and private research dollars. The National Institute of Health has identified this type of mouse genome research as one of the most promising for creating the next generation of medical treatments.

In 2003, the state legislature created the TEF with $295 million to allow the state to provide grants to help “close deals” and bring jobs and employers to Texas. The TEF was reauthorized in 2005, and allocated an additional $180 million.

Go to STATE SPOTLIGHTS to read more about other news and articles about this state.

Go to INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHTS to read more about other news and articles about this industry sector.