FLORIDA CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR
BIOMOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION AND TARGETED THERAPEUTICS (FCoEBITT)

Vision:

Efforts to understand the cause of human disease and find effective ways to prevent it depend on an integrated approach for detecting and preventing the hazard to keep it from inflicting damage on its human target.  Biological hazards, such as those mentioned above, come from a wide assortment of environmental sources and range from small biomolecules (e.g., carcinogens and chemical toxins) to larger biomolecules (e.g., ribonucleosides, proteins, and enzymes) to infectious agents (e.g., prions, bacteria, and viruses).  Regardless of the source or nature of the biohazard, all are biomolecular substances that can be detected, analyzed, and controlled through proper intervention.  The past 50 years of biomedical breakthroughs and pharmaceutical development has shown that discoveries in the laboratory will lead to improved human health; however, this process is notoriously slow.  Our goal is to accelerate this process by streamlining the discovery of new targeted therapeutics and the development of biomedical tools for eventual patenting, out-licensing, and spin-offs, which will generate new economic growth in the Tampa Bay region.

To meet this challenge, the USF faculty formed the Center of Excellence for Biomolecular Identification and Targeted Therapeutics (BITT), which coordinates the activities and strengths of existing centers of research in biomolecular identification techniques, medicinal chemistry, molecular diagnostics, drug and gene delivery and environmental sensors.  BITT seeks to enhance existing strengths and cross-disciplinary resources in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences (CAS), Medicine (COM), Engineering (COE), and the Tampa General Hospital (TGH).  BITT creates synergy between scientists and engineers from academia and industry from multiple disciplines who use advances in biomolecular science to identify molecules of human health significance (i.e., acquired, genetic, and infectious diseases) and develop novel methods for their use in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.  With additional investment from USF, BITT will be capable of maximizing the potential of existing resources and enhancing collaborations that will generate new commercial biotechnologies in three distinct areas: (1) biosensors for environmental and personal detection; (2) diagnostic kits; and (3) therapeutic biomolecules for disease therapy. 

Mission:

Primary Mission:

To develop commercial technology to prevent, reduce and eliminate the fear, human suffering and mortality caused by biomolecules associated with diseases and serve as an engine for economic growth and development of the Biotechnology industry in the Tampa Bay region and the State of Florida.

Secondary Missions:

To improve Florida’s capacity, infrastructure and human resources for translational research in biotechnology.  The Center will be well positioned to serve the needs of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

To synergize university research and education with industrial objectives to translate discoveries into new applications for human health.

To develop and implement innovative educational programs to train Florida’s workforce.

Website

www.BITT.usf.edu