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 Executive Director Sang Kim 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, Pharmaceutical Informatics, Medical Devices and Education.
The discovery platform will be built around two powerhouse research
strengths at the University of Wisconsin – Regenerative Biology and
Virology. 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
will support 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 is combining 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.
