156 



eral laboratories and federally-supported research conducted at research univer- 

 sities. The University of California President's Council first notes the laboratories' 

 record of scientific excellence, observing that the laboratories "conduct extensive 

 basic and applied research across many disciplines, often integrating these dis- 

 ciplines into large teams that tackle the complex problems of the current world." 

 Many of those research programs require the laboratories to put together large re- 

 search teams, equipping them with multimillion dollar machines and facilities, and 

 encouraging them — indeed, requiring them — to network not only across disciplines 

 but also across institutions. As a consequence of their ability to pull together such 

 large, multi-disciplinary efforts, the laboratories excel at "big science." Moreover, be- 

 cause of their habit of collaborative, multi-institutional networking, the laboratories 

 can carry basic research through the applied research and development phases that 

 must be completed, in many cases, prior to demonstration of commercial viability. 

 As the report also notes, the type of research conducted at the federal laboratories 

 is an aspect of scientific endeavor that complements the excellent, but generally 

 smaller-scale research conducted by faculty at the University. Indeed, as the Council 

 makes sure to emphasize, "some of the laboratories' significant contributions have 

 been possible only through such collaborative work with the University campuses 

 (emphasis added)." Several examples of such research synergy are then cited, in- 

 cluding development of the world's first third-generation soft x-ray facility and asso- 

 ciated advances in crystallography and lithography; global climate modeling; com- 

 puter simulation of the generation and evolution of the earth's magnetic field; an 

 accelerator mass spectrometry research facility and associated innovations in bio- 

 medical and environmental sciences; and experimental astrophysics. In the Council's 

 words, "the University's spectrum of research capability and opportunities for aca- 

 demic staff and faculty are greatly enhanced by this important laboratory strength." 



Thus, *one of the implications that some have taken from the National Academy 

 report — the implications that federal agencies should somehow "favor" universities 

 over national laboratories and other research institutions — overlooks a central fact 

 about how this nation's science and technology enterprise actually works. The syner- 

 gistic and collaborative relationships between scientists at our best research univer- 

 sities and our best federal laboratories are one of the nation's most important — and 

 unique — sources of the superb science we all wish to continue to support. To support 

 one set of research institutions and not the other, to overlook the unique benefits 

 that arise when each of the two sets of institutions is able to draw on the unique 

 scientific strengths that lie at the core of the other, would be to underutilize the 

 immense intellectual capabilities that potentially exist at both types of places. 

 2. Industry 



The dependence of high technology industries on basic science is well documented. 

 Two recent reports in California have stipulated the dependence of the state's eco- 

 nomic vitality on its great research universities.^ 



During the January meeting of the University of California Regents, Edward 

 Penhoet, the president and CEO of Chiron Corporation, one of the most successful 

 biotechnology companies of the world, addressed the Regents on the relationship be- 

 tween the biotech industry and universities. Dr. Penhoet observed that the story of 

 biotechnology is an important example of success based on cooperation between the 

 academic world and the business world. The industry today, although still in its in- 

 fancy, has already grown into a substantial economic presence. The largest bio- 

 technology companies in California are highly dependent on UC for a skilled labor 

 force, for scientific leadership, and for a strong technology transfer program in clini- 

 cal research. 



Just as the federal laboratories and universities are forging new synergistic rela- 

 tionships which increase their mutual productivity, increased interactions among 

 universities, industry and laboratories are resulting in a more effective utilization 

 of limited resources. Some major industries have been forced to close or severely 

 limit their basic research capabilities and are increasingly dependent on their col- 

 laborations with other performers. These partnerships result not only in fiscal 

 economies but help to inform more fully the decisions regarding the direction of in- 

 tellectual inquiry. The result is beneficial to all. The primary strengths of the per- 

 formers of science have been well established. Universities combine discovery with 

 education, laboratories combine unique facilities with a multi-disciplinary approach, 

 and industry presents a focus and refinement in specialized areas. Now we nave en- 



^The Economic Advisory Council of the California Institute, California Microelectronics Indus- 

 tries and Federal Technology Policy, February 1996. 



Impact of the University of California's Research on California's Economy, Susanne Huttner, 

 January 1996. 



