[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 153 (Thursday, September 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1927-E1928]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          EARMARK DECLARATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JEFF FORTENBERRY

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 2008

  Mr. FORTENBERRY. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership 
standards on member requests, I am submitting the following information 
regarding four (4) member requests I received as part of H.R. 2638, The 
Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing 
Appropriations Act, 2009:
  1. Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center Foundation/National Functional 
Genomics Center: $1.2 million.
  Account: 30 0603002A Medical Advanced Technology.
  Address of Requesting Entity: Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center 
Foundation, 201 South 68th Street Place, Lincoln, NE 68510-2496.
  Description: $1.2 million which will be used to support current 
genomics-based clinical trials involving the development of molecular 
signatures at the National Functional Genomics Center (NFGC), 
concurrently supporting the development of a strong bioinformatics 
program. These two components are critical to the mission of the NGFC. 
Each requires large numbers of qualifying patients, and corresponding 
tissues procurement to advance translational research.
  The Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center (SNCC) is comprised of a group 
of oncologists, health care professionals and informatics personnel who 
support the advancement of translational research, in conjunction with 
a desire to offer the best survival opportunities to patients now and 
in the future. As an affiliate member of the NFGC, SNCC provides 
clinical support for validation of ``molecular signatures'' and serves 
as the first clinical facility to provide patients for trials, and to 
establish research protocols for distance access to the NFGC.
  2. Novel Coating Technologies for Military Equipment: $4.8 million.
  Account: 7 0602234N Materials, Electronics, and Computer Technology.
  Address of Requesting Entity: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 301 
Canfield, P.O. Box 880433, Lincoln, NE 68588-0433.
  Description: $4.8 million for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to 
further develop novel technologies that will enable high-performance 
surface coatings to be applied to airplanes, warships, tanks, and other 
large military equipment on site and in an open atmosphere, avoiding 
the current high costs in time and money of equipment disassembly and 
the use of vacuum chambers. Most military equipment, ranging from 
airplanes to warships and tanks, requires high-performance surface 
coatings for improved performance and reliability. Because military 
equipment is commonly used in harsh environments, the surface coatings 
quickly degrade and require periodic evaluation, repair, and often full 
replacement. Current coating technologies use chemical and physical 
vapor deposition, which requires high temperatures, the use of vacuum 
chambers, and disassembly of large equipment to fit in the vacuum 
chambers. This project will develop laser-based technologies that will 
deposit high performance surface coatings on site and in open 
atmosphere without requiring disassembly and

[[Page E1928]]

reassembly of the equipment. These surface coatings will have improved 
hardness, wear resistance, anti-corrosion, and thermal barrier 
properties.
  3. Advanced Magnetic Nanosensors for Defense Applications: $4.8 
million.
  Account: 5 0602105A Materials Technology.
  Address of Requesting Entity: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 301 
Canfield, P.O. Box 880433, Lincoln, NE 68588-0433.
  Description: $4.8 million for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to 
develop and demonstrate nanosensors with unprecedented sensitivity, 
reduced noise, optimal capability with electronic systems, and the 
capability to detect explosives, chemicals, and motion. The project 
addresses the Department of Defense (DoD) priority research area of 
nanotechnology-based warfighting with an emphasis on new devices for 
defense and security. These highly sensitive, miniaturized devices 
would be extremely useful in the creation of the distributed sensor 
networks that DoD sees as next generation sensor technology. Research 
will focus on the development of two types of sensors: magnetic tunnel 
junctions (MTJs) to sense extremely small magnetic fields, enabling 
detection of explosive devices (such as IEDs) and motion; and micro-
cantilever detectors (MCDs), highly sensitive devices to detect 
molecules attached to magnetic nanoparticles, creating an advanced 
biological sensor capable of detecting a single virus or bacterium. 
This research will provide clear pathways for applications developers 
to improve signal and reduce noise, two of the critical challenges to 
effective nanosensors. This research will continue to build the strong 
infrastructure of basic trained scientists with the expertise required 
for Nebraska's economic development in the area of sensors and 
electronic devices.
  4. Novel Systems for Developing Therapeutics Against Botulism: $4 
million.
  Account: 28 0602787A Medical Technology.
  Address of Requesting Entity: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 301 
Canfield, P.O. Box 880433, Lincoln, NE 68588-0433.
  Description: $4 million for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) 
to develop novel processes to produce therapeutic molecules against all 
seven serotypes of the botulinum neurotoxin and make these processes 
ready for Phase I clinical studies. Botulinum neurotoxin is a 
biowarfare agent, a Category A CDC select agent and the most potent 
known toxin to humans. No FDA licensed vaccines against botulinum 
neurotoxin exists and there are no therapeutic molecules that can 
counteract its deadly effects once it enters the nerve cell. 
Development of such a therapeutic is the U.S. Army's highest priority 
for botulism research. Scientists at UNL and USAMRIID have collaborated 
12 years on the first generation botulism vaccine, which has been 
effective against some of the original toxin, but challenges in vaccine 
development may render the vaccine ineffective. USAMRIID has developed 
and demonstrated a proof-of-concept of a new molecule that will 
specifically target the nerve cell. This funding will enable UNL's 
Biological Process Development Facility to develop novel recombinant 
protein expression technology to produce therapeutic molecules and make 
these processes ready for Phase I clinical studies. The processes also 
will enable the development of other therapeutics of interest to the 
Department of Defense.

                          ____________________