The Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics announced its 2008 research projects today. The partnership is a collaboration between the state, Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota.

Dr. Stephen Russell of the Mayo Clinic is collaborating with Dr. Robert Krattzke from the University of Minnesota to develop virotherapy for mesothelioma. According to the goal of the project, the group aims to "get a measles virus developed at Mayo to target malignant mesothelioma, a deadly lung disease with poor survival rates. Some people in northeast Minnesota have 'substantial risk' of developing the illness."

The research will cost $867,114. For the complete research announcements, click here.