The recently decoded human genome is indeed the book of life. But those who open it seeking a page-turner are in for a disappointment. It's a long string of letters, and only four different letters at that. Our job is to figure out the sentences, paragraphs, chapters, and eventually the whole story. This is more than a grammatical exercise.
Researchers seek a full understanding of the processes that go on within living cells.
At stake for all of us are improved pharmaceuticals, abundant and safe foodstuffs, economical domestic energy sources, and environmentally friendly chemical processes. Scientists will get there first by understanding nature, and then trying out some variations on her chemical themes that even nature hasn't gotten around to yet. In addition to leading Rensselaer's quest, Dordick also chairs the Department of Chemical Engineering, a major player in the biotechnology initiative defined by the Rensselaer Plan. The Plan defines biotechnology and information technology as priority areas that will fuel a greatly expanded research endeavor. The Institute strategy calls for developing specific focal areas within these two arenas that leverage Rensselaer's existing strengths in microelectronics and microsystems, advanced materials, nanotechnology, and modeling and simulation.