During its first-ever meeting in St. Louis, the Missouri State University Board of Governors today approved an agreement between the university and St. John’s Health System that will possibly enhance biomedical research in the state and improve the lives of injured veterans.

St. John’s has agreed to become a senior corporate affiliate with the university’s Center for Applied Science and Engineering (CASE), a primary component of Missouri State’s new state-of-the-art Jordan Valley Innovation Center (JVIC), a multi-million dollar research facility which is currently under construction in downtown Springfield and scheduled to open in April.

JVIC’s focus is on applied research in biomaterials, nanotechnologies, advanced technologies, genomics/proteomics, bio-systems software engineering and bio-medical instrument development.

  “St. John’s physicians participate in research endeavors because it is critical in the development of new and better medicines, medical devices and surgical procedures,” said ophthalmologist Dr. Shachar Tauber, director, St. John’s Ophthalmology Research Cornea and Refractive Surgery. “This new partnership will allow physicians who have ideas for medical devices, or even patents pending, to have access to researchers, scientists and engineers who can help with development.”

This new partnership is expected to make a tremendous impact on the region, said JVIC Director Dr. Ryan Giedd.

 “This partnership represents the marriage of the two high-tech centers of research and development in Springfield: JVIC and St. John’s,” Giedd said. “Our projects will potentially revolve around new treatment strategies for our wounded veterans returning from the Middle East. These include projects for alleviating pain associated with prosthetics, and new technologies for eye (specifically cornea) surgery from blast injuries. St. John’s has a wealth of physician expertise that will interface with our other corporate affiliates that can develop and research the technologies needed for these important issues.”

When it opens next year, JVIC will house CASE, Missouri State’s Center for Biomedical and Life Sciences (CBLS) and several private nanotechnology companies which, as corporate partners, are developing products in conjunction with the university.

“The scope and importance of the Jordan Valley Innovation Center as a research and economic driver for southwest Missouri continues to expand,” said Dr. Jim Baker, Missouri State’s vice president for research and economic development. “Today’s announcement that St. John’s Health System has joined JVIC’s Center for Applied Science and Engineering as a corporate partner is another major step in the development of advanced technology and research capabilities of the region.”

Click here for more information on initial projects.
Click here for more information on JVIC.
Click here for more information on St. John's Medical Research.

Read the News-Leader coverage

  St. John's joins JVIC to pursue biomed research
Springfield News-Leader, 9/16/06 http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060916/NEWS01/609160378/1001/ARCHIVES

Device to ease pain of amputees
Springfield News-Leader, 9/16/06 http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060916/NEWS01/609160375/1001/ARCHIVES

FOR MEDIA INFORMATION, CONTACT CORA SCOTT AT ST. JOHN’S MEDIA RELATIONS AT 417-820-2426 (cscott@sprg.mercy.net) or  Dr. Ryan Giedd, JVIC director, at 417- 836-5279