Strategic Vision
The strategic vision for the Morgridge Institute for Research is built upon the central theme of “Discovery to Delivery,” of designing basic research to fulfill broader societal goals. This theme involves creating a chain of opportunity that effectively moves biomedical discoveries from the benchtops of researchers to the bedsides of patients – from the point of discovery to application. The theme also requires a commitment to focus on discoveries that have the potential to deliver. The ultimate goal is to impact society through new treatments, tools and transformational scientific insights.
As envisioned by Morgridge Institute Interim Executive Director James Dahlberg and his team of researchers, breakthrough discoveries can act as engines to drive a host of collaborative activities on the biomedical, nanotechnology and information technology landscapes. The use of stem cells to test new drugs at the cellular level, as a precursor to human clinical trials, for instance, can be advanced by engineering new nanoscale surfaces for culturing cells. In addition, systems biology research can be used to help predict the efficacy and safety of the next breakthrough drug.
At the Morgridge Institute, five specific areas of research will serve as platforms to realize the discovery to delivery paradigm: Regenerative Biology, Virology, Medical Devices, Pharmaceutical Informatics, Education Research.
The discovery platform is built around several powerhouse research strengths at the University of Wisconsin – Madison: regenerative biology, virology, medical devices, education research and computational biology. These areas will provide the balance necessary to ensure that as new high-risk scientific advances are pursued, the potential to arrive at scientific breakthroughs that solve crucial human health problems are captured. These research areas have been chosen due to their potential to accelerate the two ultimate deliverables of any biomedical endeavor: new therapeutics and new medical devices.
The organizational structure of the Morgridge Institute for Research supports scientists in their quest to achieve the goals of “Discovery to Delivery.” The structure, a three-plane model, is derived from the National Science Foundation’s proven paradigm for developing large scale scientific programs that accomplish societal-scale impact. This is precisely the mission for the Morgridge Institute for Research, and interaction between each of these planes must occur to ensure that the institute’s scientific team, processes and operations generate the innovation and productivity needed to achieve “Discovery to Delivery.”
In the three-plane model, the groundbreaking research takes place on the Foundation Plane, serving as the primary resource for the institute. The middle, or Integrative Plane, provides the optimum infrastructure and environment– both human and technological – to facilitate knowledge generation and utilization. Finally the top tier, or the Summit Plane, connects discoveries with society by providing delivery avenues for the final products of the research through technology development, commercialization and education.
The Morgridge Institute for Research combines unique strengths in its research, technology development and education efforts to create a 21st century version of the Wisconsin Idea – the University of Wisconsin’s legacy of providing benefits to the entire state and beyond.
As envisioned by Morgridge Institute Interim Executive Director James Dahlberg and his team of researchers, breakthrough discoveries can act as engines to drive a host of collaborative activities on the biomedical, nanotechnology and information technology landscapes. The use of stem cells to test new drugs at the cellular level, as a precursor to human clinical trials, for instance, can be advanced by engineering new nanoscale surfaces for culturing cells. In addition, systems biology research can be used to help predict the efficacy and safety of the next breakthrough drug.
At the Morgridge Institute, five specific areas of research will serve as platforms to realize the discovery to delivery paradigm: Regenerative Biology, Virology, Medical Devices, Pharmaceutical Informatics, Education Research.
The discovery platform is built around several powerhouse research strengths at the University of Wisconsin – Madison: regenerative biology, virology, medical devices, education research and computational biology. These areas will provide the balance necessary to ensure that as new high-risk scientific advances are pursued, the potential to arrive at scientific breakthroughs that solve crucial human health problems are captured. These research areas have been chosen due to their potential to accelerate the two ultimate deliverables of any biomedical endeavor: new therapeutics and new medical devices.
The organizational structure of the Morgridge Institute for Research supports scientists in their quest to achieve the goals of “Discovery to Delivery.” The structure, a three-plane model, is derived from the National Science Foundation’s proven paradigm for developing large scale scientific programs that accomplish societal-scale impact. This is precisely the mission for the Morgridge Institute for Research, and interaction between each of these planes must occur to ensure that the institute’s scientific team, processes and operations generate the innovation and productivity needed to achieve “Discovery to Delivery.”
In the three-plane model, the groundbreaking research takes place on the Foundation Plane, serving as the primary resource for the institute. The middle, or Integrative Plane, provides the optimum infrastructure and environment– both human and technological – to facilitate knowledge generation and utilization. Finally the top tier, or the Summit Plane, connects discoveries with society by providing delivery avenues for the final products of the research through technology development, commercialization and education.
The Morgridge Institute for Research combines unique strengths in its research, technology development and education efforts to create a 21st century version of the Wisconsin Idea – the University of Wisconsin’s legacy of providing benefits to the entire state and beyond.
Morgridge Institute Scientific Leaders
Seated from left: Sang Kim, James Thomson
Standing from left: Paul Ahlquist, Susan Millar,
T. Rock Mackie, Miron Livny, Rupa Shevde
“We will focus world-class talent on advancing discoveries in five research challenge areas that have tremendous potential for improving the health of millions of people around the world,” said Sangtae “Sang” Kim, founding executive director of the nonprofit interdisciplinary institute. “Our mission is to accelerate the ability to treat, cure or eradicate such devastating diseases as hepatitis C, cancer, diabetes and heart disease.”
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