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| INSIDE FLORIDA'S HIGH TECH CORRIDOR |
| Via Email |
March 2006
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UF’s Researchers
Find Chink in Tumor Armoring
A major roadblock to the success of many cancer treatments may be closer to
being removed thanks to research conducted at the University of Florida.
University researchers located a gene called focal adhesion kinase (FAK),
which churns out an enzyme that allows cancer cells to bond with a protein.
The bonding process creates a protective barrier that deflects damage from
radiation or chemotherapy and promotes tumor cell survival. William Cance,
a researcher at the University of Florida Shands Cancer Center and chairman
of the department of surgery at UF’s College of Medicine, and his colleagues
were the first to remove FAK from human tumors, an achievement that is creating
new avenues of research that could lead to improved cancer therapies.
The researchers also identified that FAK binds to the protein receptor VEGFR-3
in breast cancer to create more aggressive tumors. By blocking the binding
of FAK to VEGFR-3, cancer cells stopped dividing and died, sparing normal
breast cells.
For additional information, visit http://news.ufl.edu/2006/02/01/fak. |
USF Health
Evaluating New Therapy for Heart Failure
USF Health has begun a clinical study investigating the safety and effectiveness
of a new implantable pulse generator to treat moderate to severe heart failure.
The Optimizer™ is designed to improve heart strength using electrical
impulses applied to the heart.
The University of South Florida is one of 50 U.S. sites enrolling patients
older than age 18 in the investigational study, called FIX-HF-5 (Fix Heart
Failure 5). Study sponsor Impulse Dynamics (USA) Inc., a specialty medical
device company based in New York, expects to enroll approximately 400 patients
with moderate to severe heart failure.
For additional information, visit http://hsc.usf.edu/publicaffairs/newsreleases/news+releases+-+february+1,+2006.html |
UCF Researcher Looking to Improve Border Security
University of Central Florida’s Institute for Simulation and Training
Researcher, Ravi Palaniappan, is investigating the potential uses for ultra
wide band (UWB) sensors in securing the United States along its borders with
Mexico and Canada.
Palaniappan’s research focuses on whether or not a network of UWB-capable
sensors could use the impulse transmission characteristics of ultra wide
band to measure the time delay of signals within a network of sensors. Difference
in arrival time among sensors can be used to pinpoint the location of a transmission
picked up by the sensors. Depending on the type of sensors used, the system
could potentially intercept and locate radio, cell phone, data and other
transmissions, including heat signatures.
For additional information, visit http://www.ist.ucf.edu/nlarchive/winter06/winter06.htm. |
FHTCC Adds Six High Tech Leaders to Council
In keeping with the Florida High Tech Corridor Council’s ongoing commitment
to populate the Council with leaders from Florida’s technology business
communities, six high tech leaders have been added to the Council. They are:
- R.D. “Ron” Abbott, executive vice president of Missile
and Fire Control at Lockheed Martin Corporation;
- R. Kent Buchanan, vice
president of Corporate Technology and Development at Harris Corp.;
- George
Gordon, CEO and Chairman of Enporion;
- Kerry Herndon, CEO of Herndon's
Bromeliads;
- Habib Skaff, CEO of Intezyne Technologies; and,
- Sue Washer, CEO of Applied
Genetic Technologies, Corp.
University of South Florida President Judy Genshaft appointed Gordon and
Skaff, while Kerndon and Washer were appointed by University of Florida President
Bernie Machen. Abbott and Buchanan were appointed by University of Central
Florida President John Hitt to replace retired Council members Stan Arthur
and Nick Heldreth, respectively. |
FHTCC Releases Annual Report
The 2004/2005 Florida High Tech Corridor Council Annual Report is now available
online and is summarized in florida.HIGH.TECH 2006, the organization’s
official directory.
To view the annual report, visit http://www.floridahightech.com/rpt2005.
To order a copy of florida.HIGH.TECH 2006, contact publisher Nancy Howe at
nhowe@maddux.com or (727) 823-4394. |
Corridor Business Woman Named
Florida Small
Business Person of the Year
January Dennison has been named 2006 Florida Small Business Person of the Year
by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Dennison, who founded Technology
Research Consultants, Inc. (TRC) in 1998, was recognized for her hard work,
innovative ideas and dedication to community.
Headquartered in Haines City, TRC provides new technology for the critical
needs of the military. The company manufactures a wide range of avionic products
including gyroscopes for the Blackhawk helicopter, a mainstay of the American
Armed Forces. Under Dennison’s management, TRC has grown to more than
80 employees and its foundation annually funds $100,000 for local non-profit
agencies.
For more information, contact TRC Public Relations Manager Leatrice West
at (863) 419-8860 ext. 123. |
Florida Solar Energy Center
Selected to Lead
Three National Research Programs
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded more than $15 million to the Florida
Solar Energy Center (FSEC) for research purposes. The money will be distributed
over a five-year period with research focusing on three major energy areas:
fuel cells, industrialized housing and building energy simulation.
FSEC, a research institute of the University of Central Florida, will lead
nationwide teams of researchers in the three projects.
For additional information, visit http://www.fsec.ucf.edu. |
AT&T
Orlando Operations Team Gains $15 Million Follow-On Contract
The AT&T Government Solutions Orlando operations team has been awarded
$15 million in follow-on work to develop the Army’s next generation of
live battlefield training systems.
Under the first contract, called the One Tactical Engagement Simulation
System, AT&T has been awarded $5.8 million to begin the third phase of
the project, which will focus on developing realistic war-game technologies
that simulate non-line-of-sight weaponry. This system will eventually replace
the Army’s use of laser-tag technology.
The second contract, called Combat Training Center Objective Instrumentation
System, will team AT&T and subcontractors, including Lockheed Martin’s
Orlando-based Simulation, Training and Support Company, to launch a $9.1
million project to develop a communications network to handle mobile voice,
data and video traffic at the U.S. Army National Training Center in Fort
Irwin, California.
For additional information, visit http://www.att.com/gov/newsevents/press_releases/press_release_013106.html. |
OptiGrate Awarded Two Phase
I SBIR Grants
from NASA for Laser Components
NASA recently awarded OptiGrate, a University of Central Florida Technology
Incubator client, two Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants.
The grants are designed to advance the development of optical components by
utilizing the company’s proprietary technologies involving photo-thermo-reactive
(PTR) glass and holographic recording for the manufacture of volume Bragg gratings.
OptiGrate designs and manufactures a large variety of volume diffractive
gratings for both commercial and defensive applications. The company also
develops custom prototypes of various diffractive optical components for
many optical and semiconductor companies.
OptiGrate’s technology was originally developed by researchers at
the University of Central Florida’s Center for Research and Education
on Optics and Lasers, also known as CREOL.
For additional information, visit http://www.optigrate.com. |
Volunteers Needed for the Small
Business Development Center
Advisory Board Council
The Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida
is currently forming volunteer advisory boards for several industries. Most
importantly, they currently lack volunteers in the areas of management, strategy
planning, business development, CFO-types, and marketing and sales.
Volunteering requires approximately four to six hours per quarter counseling
a small but growing business with a team of advisors.
Not only does volunteering have the personal reward of helping a business
reach the next level, but it also allows for the exploration of new relationships
with professionals serving together on the board as well as during the quarterly
networking receptions. All interested professionals, regardless of expertise,
are encouraged to participate. Boards are forming continuously.
For additional information, visit: http://www.advisoryboardcouncil.org. |
UF Biomedical Engineering Department Receives
$10 Million Gift
J. Crayton Pruitt Sr., a St. Petersburg inventor, surgeon and entrepreneur,
has committed $10 million to the department of biomedical engineering at the
University of Florida.
This gift is among the largest cash gifts received by the university and
is eligible for matching funds from the state of Florida Mayor Gift Trust
Fund, which could result in a $20 million endowment for the department.
Pruitt’s gift will support teaching, translational research, technology
enhancements and academic programs for faculty and students.
http://news.ufl.edu/2006/01/17/pruitt-gift. |
Accolades
Intellinet
Intellinet, a highly certified and nationally recognized IT strategy and
technology consulting services firm, has obtained its sixth Gold Certification
in the Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Program, earning the company elite
status in the program.
Joanie Schirm and Geotechnical & Environmental
Consultants, Inc.
Congratulations are extended to Council member Joanie Schirm, as Geotechnical & Environmental
Consultants, Inc. celebrates its 15th anniversary in Orlando.
Huikai Xie
University of Florida Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Huikai Xie was published in the December issue of the journal Institute
of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Transactions on Circuits and Systems
regarding the design of a tiny, easy-to-manufacture motion sensor.
Skyway Software Receives Award from CRN Magazine
Tampa’s Skyway Software has received Computer Reseller News Magazine’s
prestigious “TEST CENTER Recommended” award for providing the
only Service Oriented Architecture solution that can build new and assemble
existing services while managing and governing reuse across multiple platforms
from any type of data source. |
Did You Know?
Did you know that Melbourne-based AuthenTec fingerprint sensors are in 4 million
cell phones worldwide and are expected to emerge in U.S. cell phones in
2006? The sensors provide powerful security applications in electronic
equipment.
For additional information, visit
http://www.authentec.com/getpage.cfm?sectionID=19. |
Calendar of Events
The following events are taking place across the Corridor’s 23-county
region or in the surrounding area:
Government Contracting Series
Presented by: Small Business Development Center
at the University of Central
Florida
Mondays, March 6 through March 20
Disney/SBA National Entrepreneur Center
For event information or to register, visit http://www.sbdcorlando.com.
Speed Networking for Business Success
Presented by: TiE Florida and the
University of Central Florida Technology
Incubator
Wednesday, March 8, 6:30 – 9 p.m.
The Disney SBA National Entrepreneur Center, Downtown Orlando
For event information, visit http://www.tieflorida.com/index.html.
2006 Professional Career Expo
Presented by: Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance
Monday, April 3, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Tampa Convention Center
For event information, visit http://www.workforcetampa.com/expo.
Florida Tech Transfer Conference
Presented by: The Tampa Bay Technology Forum and the
Florida Research Consortium
Monday, May 22 through Tuesday, May 23
Ritz Carlton in Sarasota, Fla.
For event information or to register, visit http://www.flatechtransfer.org.
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Events Outside the Corridor
EDC Bioscience Conference
Presented by: The Enterprise Development Corporation
Wednesday, May 17, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Nova Southeastern University
For event information, visit
http://edc-tech.org/news/newsreader.asp?id=62.
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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
(http://www.ucf.edu), the University of South Florida (http://www.usf.edu)
and the University of Florida (http://www.ufl.edu). For more information
visit our Web site at (http://www.floridahightech.com), or contact
one of the region’s economic development partners listed
at http://www.floridahightech.com/linkslibrary/economic_dev_org.htm. |
Florida High Tech Corridor Link Library
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 visit the Florida High Tech Corridor
link library at http://www.floridahightech.com/linkslibrary/. |
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