About the Indiana METACyt Initiative
In December 2004, Indiana University Bloomington received a grant totalling $53 million from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. This grant, known as METACyt, focuses on metabolomics and cytomics, emerging fields that are shedding light on cell metabolism and function. METACyt builds on the foundation of genomic and poteomic research already taking place at IUB and complements the 2001 Indiana Genomics Initiative, also funded by the Lilly Endowment.
As life scientists get closer to putting human genome information to use, metabolomics and cytomics research promises to answer key questions about cancer and other diseases, leading to faster diagnoses and more effective treatments. A goal of METACyt is to ensure that life sciences discoveries result in a full range of scientific, educational, and related economic benefits for Indiana. METACyt:
- encourages IUB life scientists to stay in Bloomington
- attracts top research talent from around the world
- spurs innovation and intellectual property development
- provides opportunities for greater research income from federal agencies such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health
- supports technology transfer derived from basic research
- encourages founding of new businesses in Indiana
