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UCF Biologist Discovers Inexpensive New Way to Treat
Diseases
Henry Daniell, a University of Central Florida biologist, has
discovered a way to use tobacco leaves for pharmaceutical production. He has developed a method to treat and prevent diseases such as diabetes, lung cancer, hepatitis and many other devastating ailments by modifying the leaves’ cells. This revelation could mean that treatment drugs could be made less expensively, providing that the technique can be adapted to mass production. It would also make these drugs available to impoverished patients.
Daniell has also founded Chlorogen, a biotechnology company, through which he intends to bring his research to the pharmaceutical market. Chlorogen’s goal is to produce these drugs in new, cost-efficient ways using knowledge attained through the mapping of the human genome. This will change the way that medications are developed and produced. Thus, drug costs will begin to drop within the next five years, as a number of plant-based drugs become commercially available.
For additional information, visit www.news.ucf.edu.
USF Chemists Make Breakthrough in Antibiotic ResearchUniversity of South Florida chemists, who recently patented a new class of synthetic antibiotics for killing drug-resistant bacteria, have developed a better way of getting drugs to a target within the body. The new technology will treat serious hospital infections with a much smaller dose of the drug, potentially reducing unwanted side effects, according to Edward Turos, a professor in USF’s department of chemistry and one of several USF chemists working in the Drug Discovery Program at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute. After creating the antibiotics, the USF team developed nano-sized plastic spheres with drugs chemically bonded to their surface that allow the drug to be dissolved in water, dramatically improving performance.
For additional information, visit isis2.admin.usf.edu.
New USF Applied Science Degree Expected To Grow
The new Bachelor of Science in Applied Science (BSAS) degree at the University of South Florida, which admitted approximately 30 students during its first semester this fall, is expected to double in enrollment in the spring semester. The BSAS degree program is designed for Associate in Science (A.S.) degree graduates from Florida public community colleges who desire a bachelor’s degree for self-enrichment, advancement in their current career or to qualify for higher-level employment. Current areas of concentration include: Behavioral Healthcare, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Development, Gerontology, Hospitality Management, Public Administration and Urban Policy.
For more information, visit www.ugs.usf.edu.
UCF Named One of Florida’s Four Best Values in Higher EducationKiplinger magazine ranked the University of Central Florida as one of the four best values in college education in Florida. In the magazine’s annual “100 Best Values in Public Colleges,” UCF was ranked along with the University of Florida, New College of Florida and Florida State University. Rankings were based on information provided by more than 500 public, four-year colleges on entrance exam scores, admission rates, student-faculty ratios, graduation rates, cost and financial aid.
To view the college survey and rankings, visit www.kiplinger.com.
USF Breaks Ground on Nanotech Building
The University of South Florida celebrated the groundbreaking of its new NanoTech I building on campus. The 14,000 square-foot laboratory building, expected to open in one year, will house an expanded state-of-the-art cleanroom, processing facilities and complete analytical instrumentation for nanometrology. The facility is one of the core facilities of USF, providing interdisciplinary research support for all faculty and graduate students from all colleges in the university.
For additional information or to view building renderings, visit www.research.usf.edu.
USF RET Program Receives Second Year of FundingThe Corridor Council is pleased to announce the second year of funding for the Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program at the University of South Florida. This program is designed to familiarize teachers with engineering research in which science and math backgrounds are used, so they can translate this summer experience into real-life motivational examples for their students. The RET program is part of the Council’s continuing effort to enhance K-12 teacher awareness of careers in technology.
For additional information, visit www.eng.usf.edu.
Florida Ranks in Top Five for Small Business
Florida ranked fifth in the nation for small businesses and entrepreneurs, according to the Small Business Survival Index 2003 by the Small Business Survival Committee. The Small Business Survival Index ranks the 50 states and the District of Columbia according to 21 of the major government-imposed or government-related costs impacting small businesses and entrepreneurs across a broad spectrum of industries and types of businesses. In essence, the Index provides a measure by which states can be compared according to how the state and local governments treat small businesses and entrepreneurs. South Dakota ranked in first place followed by Nevada, Wyoming and New Hampshire.
For additional information and to view rankings, visit www.sbsc.org.
Peak 10 Expands Operations to Meet Growing Demand for ServicesPeak 10, Inc., the Southeast’s leading data center solutions provider, initiated an aggressive expansion plan fueled by strong sales and growing demand for its services in the Southeast. Highlights of the expansion include the hiring of new staff members, strategic technology investments and the expansion of its product line to include more in-depth solutions for replication, storage and security. Peak 10 is the Southeast’s leading data center services provider offering a full range of hosting, storage, security and business continuity solutions. The company owns and operates four enterprise-class data centers that deliver a higher standard of infrastructure, security and performance businesses nationwide in Tampa, Charlotte, Raleigh and Jacksonville.
For additional information, visit www.peak-10.com.
AuthenTec Wins Market Leadership Award for Second
Consecutive Year
Melbourne-based AuthenTec fingerprint semiconductor company was recently awarded the 2003 Market Leadership Award by Frost & Sullivan. According to Prianka Chopra, a Frost & Sullivan industry analyst, AuthenTec was chosen because of its commitment to “continuing enhancement and depth of product solutions, attractive product pricing and network of key strategic alliances.” The company supplies clients a broad product line that offers the most extensive product portfolio in the entire silicon fingerprint market.
For additional information, visit www.authentec.com.
MEDai Inc. Releases Updated Version of Healthcare
SoftwareMEDai Inc., an Orlando-based healthcare technology company, launched the latest version of its predictive modeling software, Risk Navigator Clinical. This new, technologically-advanced software can process and identify important risk information for health plans. It can also create medical profiles of individuals or groups and predict various hospital expenses including inpatient care, pharmacy professional outpatient care and emergency room care.
For additional information, visit www.medai.com.
Tampa/St. Petersburg Rated Among Country’s Top
“Youth-Wired” Cities
America Online ranked the Tampa/St. Petersburg area as the number one “youth-wired” market in the U.S. for the highest percentage of children online between five and seven days a week. The online survey by America Online/Digital Marketing Services, Inc. was conducted among more than 2,000 children age 7 – 12 and parents of children age 7 – 12. The survey shows that 46 percent of children go online at least four times a week and nearly 20 percent go online every day. As part of this survey, AOL surveyed children and their parents in the largest 15 cities to determine regional patterns in online use among kids. The Tampa/St. Petersburg area was followed by Philadelphia, New York, Washington, D.C. and Miami/Ft. Lauderdale.
For additional information, visit media.aoltimewarner.com.
PE Electrical and EIT/FE Reviews Offered OnlineThe Pinellas County chapter of the Florida Engineering Society, in association with the University of South Florida’s FEEDS department, will offer the PE Electrical review and the EIT/FE review online. USF will archive all classes after taping for availability until the session ends. In the meantime, students have unlimited viewing of all sessions. The PE Electrical review session is $395, lasts 12 weeks and starts on January 8; the EIT/FE review is also $395, lasts 10 weeks and starts on January 19. Registration is currently open and will continue after sessions start. Web space is limited. To ensure you receive a text book, please enroll by January 6.
To register, visit feeds.eng.usf.edu or call the FEEDS department at (813) 974-3783.
Florida Educators to Receive Hands-On Experience in
Modeling, Simulation & Training
On Tuesday, December 9 and Wednesday, December 10, techPATH – an initiative of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC) – will host its second techCAMP focusing on the modeling, simulation and training sector. Taking place at the Advanced Technology Center in Daytona Beach, the two-day camp is designed to provide middle school, high school, community college and technical center educators as well as guidance counselors with the knowledge and tools necessary to guide students in their pursuit of high tech careers.
In addition to offering an overview of the modeling, simulation and training industry, techCAMP will provide information on available careers and the education necessary to enter the field. The day will include detailed presentations covering: the history and psychology of simulation, the science of motion and entertainment, simulation in the military, sim-tech jobs and requirements, virtual reality and a Daytona USA facility tour and race car contest.
For additional information about techPATH, visit www.floridahightech.com.
Lockheed Martin Delivers Targetry Equipment to
SwedenLockheed Martin has recently delivered its new target training equipment to the Swedish Defense Material Administration. The system, known as the WHIP (Weight, Hit, Indication and Planning) program, is the latest development in the industry. It consists of a rapidly deployable, easily configurable, radio-controlled, modular live fire training package that will be used to improve the speed and accuracy of the Swedish land forces. It also utilizes a lightweight General Purposes Target Mechanism (GPTM), which can be used as an infantry lifter or a scaled vehicle lifter.
The WHIP system provides range database mapping and control. It allows the user either manual or automatic scenario preparation. Additionally, the system is capable of projectile hit location detection and it controls infrared targets at programmable levels. These system improvements should greatly improve the capacity of the Swedish military.
For additional information, visit lockheedmartin.com.
It’s eNewsletter Update Time!
One of the main ways in which the Florida High Tech Corridor Council communicates with its members, partners and the general public is through this monthly eNewsletter. The FHTCC is currently updating its contact information of monthly newsletter subscribers. If you or your company currently receives the FHTCC monthly eNewsletter, please e-mail your complete contact information, including your name, company name, address, phone number, fax number and e-mail address, to
pressroom@floridahightech.com. Your information will be used to notify you of important business events, proposal deadlines and grants that are available in your region.
Coming Soon … the Florida High Tech Corridor
Council’s Annual Report
Watch your e-mail for an update on the 2002-2003 accomplishments of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. The annual report will be online at
www.floridahightech.com.
Corridor People in the News
Compliments to Tom Patton, who was hired as the executive director of the Central Florida Development Council, Inc. (CFDC).
Congratulations to
Ed Schons, director of university economic development at the University of Central Florida, who was named District 6 Director of the Florida Economic Development Council, Inc. (FEDC).
Calendar of Events
The following are events taking place across the Corridor’s 21-county region which readers may be interested in attending.
Search Engine Optimization Seminar
Presented by: SEO expert Jill Whalen, eTrafficJams
Friday, November 7, 2003 – Tampa, Florida
For event information, visit www.techdaily.info
AeA Florida Council Technology Development Conference
Where Will Your Next GREAT Product Come From?
Presented by: AeA
Thursday, November 13, 2003 – Orlando, Florida
For event information, visit www.techdaily.info
UCF ORBIT Executive Briefing
IT Change & the Value Impact in a Recovering Economy
Presented by: UCF continuing education
Friday, November 14, 2003 – Orlando, Florida
Registration Deadline: Friday, November 14, 2003
For more information, visit www.orbit.ucf.edu/nov14/
Sun Coast Industry Expo
Presented by: Sarasota County Committee for Economic Development
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 – Sarasota, Florida
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, November 18, 2003
For event information, visit www.techdaily.info
Emerging Technology Business Showcase
Presented by: Enterprise Development Corporation (EDC)
Thursday, November 20, 2003 – Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
For event information, visit www.techdaily.info
The Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference
Presented by: National Defense Industrial Association
Monday, December 1-4, 2003 – Orlando, Florida
For event information, visit www.iitsec.org
Annual Technology Innovation Awards
Presented by: The Gulfcoast Business Review, STA, Sarasota County
Friday, December 5, 2003 – USF at Sarasota/Manatee, Florida
For more information, visit www.suncoastech.org
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) and the University of South Florida
(www.usf.edu). For more information visit our Web site at
(www.floridahightech.com), or contact one of the region’s economic development partners listed below.
You can also find links to the region’s community college partners at www.floridahightech.com and to various industry organizations at
www.floridahightech.com.
Central Florida Development Council
www.cfdc.org
Citrus County EDC
www.citrusedc.com
Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast
www.spacecoastedc.org
Enterprise Flagler
www.enterpriseflagler.org
Enterprise Florida, Inc.
www.eflorida.com
Greater Tampa Committee of 100
www.tampachamber.com
Highlands County EDC
www.highlandsedc.com
Lakeland Economic Development Council
www.lakelandchamber.com
Manatee Economic Development Council
www.manateeedc.com
Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission
www.orlandoedc.com
Ocala/Marion County Economic Development Council
www.ocalaedc.org
Pasco Economic Development Council
www.pascoedc.com
Pinellas County Department of Economic Development
www.siliconbay.org
Sarasota County Committee for Economic Development
www.sarasotacountyced.org
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