Center of Natural Tropical Biomaterials Grand Opening
The Center of Natural Tropical Biomaterials, a joint Center between Northeastern University and the University of Antioquia, will be officially opened in Quirama, Rio Negro, Colombia with a gala celebration on March 31, 2016. The mission of the Center is to strengthen collaborations around the use of natural materials commonly found in tropical locations for medicine. Faculty at the University of Antioquia (co-directed by Drs. Juan Jose Pavon Palacio and Lucia Atehortua) and at Northeastern (co-directed by Dr. Thomas Webster) will be developing new nanoparticle delivery systems for natural materials to fight cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neural diseases, infection, and many more health problems. Expertise at Northeastern University resides in nano medicine while expertise at the University of Antioquia resides in the extraction of proteins from tropical plants for medical applications.
"The establishment of this first of a kind Center of Natural Tropical Biomaterials will further propel the University of Antioquia and Northeastern University into prominence at the intersection of nano medicine and natural materials found in Colombia to treat numerous diseases. The Center, to be located in Colombia near Medellin, represents a significant dedication of resources by the University of Antioquia which is destined to provide significant medical breakthroughs."
"This big effort between Northeastern University and University of Antioquia will be reflected in a unique advanced center dedicated to the study, research, applications, mimics and sustainable use of Natural Tropical Biomaterial from Colombian Biodiversity, which is one of the most amazing and impressive in the world.", says Dr. Juan Jose Pavon Palacio.