UF Test Drug Could Cut Orthodontic Treatment Time

University of Florida (UF) researchers are testing the hormone Relaxin as a biochemical aid to speed up the straightening of teeth during orthodontic treatment.

Relaxin is best known as the hormone used to help stretch pelvic ligaments in women before giving birth, by softening collagen and elastin in tissues.

Researchers hope to find that using Relaxin in conjunction with braces will speed up orthodontic treatment and prevent teeth from relapsing to their former positions after treatment. If the hormone is successful it could cut patients’ time wearing braces in half and eliminate the need for retainers.

For additional information, visit: http://www.napa.ufl.edu/2005news/braces.htm.

USF Hospital Affiliate Participates in Shingles Vaccine Trial

The James A. Haley Veteran’s Hospital, an affiliate of the University of South Florida (USF) Health Sciences Center, participated in a study of an experimental vaccine, which prevented half of the cases of the painful nerve and skin infection shingles.

The vaccine, known as the zoster vaccine, is a more potent form of the virus administered to children to prevent chickenpox.

The study, done by the Department of Veterans Affairs in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and Merck & Co., Inc., was completed at 22 sites across the U.S. including the James A. Haley Veteran’s Hospital, which enrolled 1,200 participants.

For additional information, visit:

http://www.research.usf.edu/ absolutenm/templates/newro.asp?articleid=1085&zoneid=29.

UCF Breaks Record with $103 Million in Research Funding

University of Central Florida (UCF) topped its previous $100 million milestone as professors received $103.6 million in research funding for the 2004-2005 year. This year’s funding increased by 25 percent over the 2003-2004 funding of $83 million.

The College of Engineering and Computer Science received the highest total at $17.5 million, followed by the College of Education with $17.3 million, and the College of Optics and Photonics at $15 million.

Vice President for Research M.J. Soileau attributes this success to efforts made by researchers and university support through matching funds programs and start-up grants for newly hired professors.

For additional information, visit:

http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id =002400411a428d50103c2675a02006983&mode=news.

Seminole County Named Among Most Digitally Advanced

Seminole County has tied Sedgwick, Kan. as the fifth most digitally advanced county government in the 250,000 to 499,999 population range by the U.S. Center for Digital Government and the National Association of Counties.

The survey examined the use of information technology by the county government to deliver services to its citizens.

First place was awarded to Prince William County, Va.

For additional information, visit:

http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/guide/prelease_view.asp?ID=1272.

Space Tourism Company Plans Office at Kennedy Space Center

Space Adventures, Ltd. has chosen Kennedy Space Center as the location for its Suborbital Vehicle and Spaceport Development office to coordinate a worldwide suborbital spaceflight program.

The Space Adventures program offers a suborbital space flight which consists of a fourday flight preparation training course. A skilled pilot would then fly participants to the maximum altitude of 62 miles where they could experience weightlessness while viewing the blackness of space against Earth’s horizon.

For additional information, visit: http://www.spaceadventures.com/media/releases/2005-07/271.

Orlando EDC Recogized at Annual Conference

The Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission (EDC) received multiple honors at the Florida Economic Development Council’s (FEDC) annual conference this year.

The expansion of Electronic Arts was named Florida’s “Large Market Deal of the Year” for achieving community and economic development goals, being meaningful to the community, and for taking advantage of opportunities and overcoming obstacles during the deal.

The Orlando EDC also received top marketing and communications honors for its Web site www.OrlandoEDC.com; Texture, a magazine which focuses on the region’s high tech industry; program and training materials for the EDC’s “Industry & Investor Outreach Program”; and, a print ad focused on workforce diversity.

For additional information, visit:

http://www.orlandoedc.com/News%20Room/newsreleases.shtml?id=23061 or

http://www.orlandoedc.com/News%20Room/newsreleases.shtml?id=23062.

Teltronics Receives Contract Upgrade from NYC Department of Education

Teltronics, Inc., a Sarasota-based communications service provider, obtained a $2.3 million upgrade contract from the New York City Department of Education (NYCDoE) to modernize its communications systems.

Teltronics will supply and install new systems that will be used primarily for voice communications in the school system, as well as provide remote network monitoring and maintenance services.

For additional information, visit:

http://www.teltronics.com/news_events/content_view.asp?id=15370.

AVT Simulation Develops Apache Helicopter Program

Orlando-based Applied Visual Technology Simulation, Inc. (AVT) has designed a new simulator application which will better prepare Apache Longbow helicopter pilots and crews for combat.

The Recurring Skills Trainer application was developed to train crews in using the complex computer systems onboard the Apache helicopters. The trainer allows participants to practice using the control grips to activate fire control radar, select different types of weapons, deploy flares, and set up navigation and communications equipment. AVT plans to market the trainer to the U.S. Army and internationally to 11 countries that use the Apache Longbow helicopter.

For additional information, visit:

http://www.techbizfl.com/announ_desc.asp?announceid=402 or http://www.avtsim.com.

Did You Know?

The Florida High Tech Corridor is made up of two separate bodies – the Corridor Council and the Core Team.

The Corridor Council is chaired by the presidents of the University of Central Florida, the University of South Florida, and the University of Florida and is made up of representatives of high tech organizations appointed by the presidents. Council members and the Council’s economic development and community college partners appoint members of their organizations to serve on the Core Team.

These Core Team representatives have contributed tens of thousands of hours since the Corridor Council was formed. In the past three years alone, their time was valued at more than $4.1 million, and financial support from the organizations behind these individuals came to more than $7.3 million cash and in-kind support for a total of $11.4 million. Their efforts were focused on implementing a strategic plan built around four key strategies: sponsored research, workforce development programs, marketing programs, and the cultivation of technology communities.

Corridor People in the News

Florida Tech welcomes three new deans this fall: Thomas D. Waite, dean of the College of Engineering; David M. Steel, dean of the College of Business; and, Clifford R. Bragdon, inaugural dean of University College.

Calendar of Events
 

The following are events taking place across the Corridor’s 23-county region or the surrounding area, which readers may be interested in attending:

Proposal Writing

Presented by: Frank Germonto – PTAC/CBA
Thursday, August 4 – ATC Entrepreneurial Center, Suite 340, Daytona Beach
For event information or to register, e-mail fgermonto@co.volusia.fl.us.

Tampa Bay Tech Jam 2005

Presented by: The Tampa Bay Technology Forum
Wednesday, August 10 – Stumps Supper Club, Channelside, Tampa
For event information, visit:
http://www.tbtf.org/page.cfm?link=event &eid=B4DD5BDD-9123-173FBFF9C6C1544BB0BA.
 

Introduction to Federal Government Contracting

Presented by: Frank Germonto – PTAC/CBA
Thursday, August 11 – ATC Entrepreneurial Center, Suite 340, Daytona Beach
For event information or to register, e-mail fgermonto@co.volusia.fl.us.
 

Selling and Marketing to the Federal Government

Presented by: Frank Germonto – PTAC/CBA
Thursday, August 11 – ATC Entrepreneurial Center, Suite 340, Daytona Beach
For event information or to register, e-mail fgermonto@co.volusia.fl.us.
 

Computer-rific Legislative Open House

Presented by: The Tampa Bay Technology Forum
Tuesday, August 23 – Boys & Girls Club, Tampa
For event information, visit:
http://www.tbtf.org/page.cfm? link=event&eid=E74676F9-D630-5438-32A6E1205C110B13
 

The UCF Leadership Edge

Presented by: UCF ORBIT
Monday, September 26 and Tuesday, September 27 – Canterbury Retreat and
Conference Center
For event information, visit: http://www.orbit.ucf.edu/LEupcoming.asp
 

Destinations Orlando, America & the World & IT’s Strategic Business Role

Presented by: UCF ORBIT
Friday, October 7 – Westin Grand Bohemian, Orlando
For event information, visit: http://www.orbit.ucf.edu/EBupcoming.asp
 

Florida’s Workforce Summit 2005

Presented by: The Dynamics Works Institute
Monday, October 10 – Wednesday, October 12 – Rosen Plaza Hotel, Orlando
For event information, visit:
http://www.dynamicinstitute.com/summit/downloads/Agenda.pdf

BioFlorida 8th Annual Conference

Presented by: BioFlorida
Monday, October 24 and Tuesday, October 25 – Marriot Hotel, Delray Beach
For event information, visit: http://www.bioflorida.com
 

National Events
The following calendar item is a national happening in which readers may be interested:

2nd Annual iCoast Technology Show

Presented by: InternetCoast
Thursday, August 18 – Broward County Convention Center, Ft. Lauderdale
For event information, visit:
http://internetcoast.com/index.php?cid=463050& src=events&srctype=profile&id=1517&category=InternetCoast%
20Events

The Scripps/Oxford International Biotechnology Conference

Presented by: The Biotechnology Industry Organization
Sunday, November 13 – Tuesday, November 15 – The Breakers, Palm Beach
For event information, visit http://www.scripps.edu/florida/conference.
 

Inside Florida’s High Tech Corridor is published by the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, Inc. (FHTCC) and its economic development partners. The FHTCC is an initiative of the University of Central Florida (www.ucf.edu), the University of South Florida (www.usf.edu) and the University of Florida (www.ufl.edu). For more information visit our Web site at www.floridahightech.com, or contact one of the region's economic development partners listed at www.floridahightech.com/linkslibrary.

Florida High Tech Corridor Link Library

Visit the Florida High Tech Corridor link library (www.floridahightech.com)for a comprehensive list of FHTCC University Partners; Community Colleges; Economic Development Organizations; Technology Groups & Programs; Workforce Boards & Organizations; Technology Incubators & Venture Capital Organizations; and Industry Organizations.