Iowa State should receive more state funding for bioscience research and development, according to a recent report focusing on how to boost Iowa’s bioscience economy.

“[Bioscience is] an area of economic development that, if done correctly, can generate significant wealth for a region,” said James Bloedel, vice provost for research administration.

“The types of jobs that are created are high-paying jobs, as well. So it’s an economic-driven strategy, which in Iowa’s case is very consistent with the existing resources and areas of emphasis at the regents universities, and it’s an economic development strategy that is very sound.”

The Iowa Department of Economic Development commissioned Battelle, a science and technology company based in Columbus, Ohio, to research Iowa’s strengths in biosciences, which include such areas as research and testing, biorenewable chemicals, biomaterials and biofuels.

“The report was designed to capitalize on what we know and what we grow,” said Barb Boose, communications director for the Board of Regents. “Iowa obviously is known for its extreme wealth in terms of plants, technology and plant production.”

Tina Hoffman, communications director of the state’s economic development department, said the governor became aware of Battelle through its specific expertise in evaluating bioscience information.

“At that point [the governor] asked the Department of Economic Development to come together and contract the initial report,” Hoffman said.

“Battelle also put together the strategic plan for us.”

The report urges Iowa to increase state funding for Iowa regent universities, bioscience companies and researchers in a time period of five years.

According to the report, money should first be used to improve facilities and equipment, as well as to attract scholars and research teams to regent universities like Iowa State.

Next, bioscience company commercialization should be encouraged, fostering a supportive business environment partly through extension services connected with universities.

These four strategies are of varying urgency, with university funding being a top priority.

Allocating resources to Iowa’s regent universities, including Iowa State, will be key in increasing Iowa’s bioscience research and development platforms, according to the report.

The platforms are areas that Iowa has the greatest potential to advance, Hoffman said.

“ISU will be the host of three of the platform areas, and University of Iowa will host the other three platform areas,” Bloedel said. “The animal systems platform, the advanced food and feed platform, and the bioeconomy platform are the three that would be hosted at ISU.”

Iowa State will not be considered for increased funding until after the plan is discussed at the next legislative session in January.

“This has not been proposed to the legislature yet,” Bloedel said. “So there are no funds allocated to the road map that Battelle proposes, at least to date.”

Battelle’s report was almost a year in the making, Hoffman said. The initial report was completed in March, and the strategic plan to increase bioscience in Iowa was completed in August.

On Aug. 3 the report was publicly introduced by Gov. Tom Vilsack in a Sioux City press conference, Hoffman said.

“The first report was what we need to build on,” Hoffman said. “The second report was how we get there.”