Editor’s note: A new burst of business at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis is drawing renewed attention to what all is happening at billionaire David Murdock’s creation. Barry Teater offers an update in the latest “State of Startups” report. On Tuesday, Teater reported in detail about NCRC’s progress. Other stories in the series are linked with this post.

KANNAPOLIS – Health-focused research carried out on the North Carolina Research Campus ranges from mapping the genetic pathways of strawberries, blueberries, oats and broccoli to developing nanotechnology-based hand sanitizers, to studying how exercise and plant-based flavonoids affect the immune system.

University-based research initiatives on the campus include:

  • Appalachian State University’s Human Performance Laboratory, studying nutrition and exercise immunology.
  • Duke University’s Clinical & Translational Science Institute, analyzing nearly 450,000 biological samples from more than 12,000 volunteers in several longitudinal, community-centered population health studies.
  • N.C. A&T State University’s Center for Excellence in Post-Harvest Technologies, studying post-harvest technologies to improve the quality and safety of food after it leaves the farm as well as functional food development targeting diabetes and colon cancer.
  • NC Central University’s Nutrition Research Program, identifying and evaluating bioactive natural products from functional foods and herbal medicine that may help prevent and treat metabolic diseases such as cancer and diabetes.
  • N.C. State University’s Plants for Human Health Institute, discovering innovative plant-based solutions to advance human health.
  • The UNC Chapel Hill Nutrition Research Institute, studying individual differences in metabolism and nutrient requirements to improve health and prevent or treat diseases including obesity, diabetes and cancer.
  • UNC Charlotte’s Bioinformatics Services Division, applying novel computational technologies to help solve biological problems.
  • UNC Greensboro’s Center for Translational Biomedical Research, studying disease pathogenesis and new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases including diabetes and alcohol-induced fatty liver disease.

Some of the technology companies that lease lab and office facilities on the campus include:

  • BioArmor, developing proprietary formulations of non-toxic, non-alcohol based, hand sanitizers, topical antiseptics and hard-surface disinfectants that use nanotechnology to kill harmful microorganisms.
  • Dole Nutrition Institute, analyzing the phytochemicals found in fruits and vegetables for their positive effects on reducing the risk of diseases of aging including heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
  • EnDev Laboratories, the research and development team of Ei, A Pharmaceutical Solutionworks, specializing in the formulation of therapeutic skin care and prescription dermatological products. Its expertise in process development, the creation and application of analytical tools, regulatory solutions and technology transfer also supports Ei’s nearby 180,000-square-foot manufacturing facility.
  • Ideal Health Biotechnology, developing dietary supplements made from naturally occurring, plant-based compounds. Its products are designed to help with digestion, eye disease and diabetes, particularly in the elderly.
  • Klear Optix, developing new materials and designs for soft lenses, bandage lenses for healing and intraocular lenses used in cataract surgery.