Ohio State has been granted $1 million for medical research by the W.M. Keck Foundation, a philanthropic organization that contributes to universities and medical research institutions nationwide.’We are pleased and honored to receive this prestigious award and recognition from the Keck foundation. It draws attention to the significance of (our) biomedical research,’ said Pappachan Kolattukudy, director of neurobiotechnology at OSU.Kolattukudy and Bradford Stokes, associate dean for research and graduate studies in the college of medicine, provided the leadership for the Keck proposal.’I think the grant reflects the advances we’ve made in the past 10 years, with Bernadine Healy coming as dean (of the college of medicine) and all the other exciting things that have been going on in the college,’ Stokes said. ‘A decade ago we wouldn’t have even been eligible to contend for money from an organization like Keck.’The money, which was provided as a lump sum, will be used for neurobiotechnology research.’The money will be used to expand Ohio State’s gene research into the causes and treatments of major human health problems, such as cancer, heart disease and neurological disorders and stroke,’ Kolattukudy said.A large portion of the money will help complete the university’s facility for genetically-engineered animals and to employ high level technicians to produce these animals, Stokes said.These genetically-engineered animals are used in researching diseases of the central nervous system.’The money is a seed from Keck, to take our research to the next level,’ Stokes said.Solicited as part of the university’s ‘Affirm Thy Friendship’ research campaign, the Keck money will contribute towards the $850 million target.’This is quite a coup for the university,’ said Edward Hayes, vice president for research. ‘To get a grant of this sort, a lot of coordination and teamwork was required from across the university, and leaders from across the university pooled together.’The original grant request was for $3 million, but was adjusted when Keck representatives suggested that a $1 million request was more likely to be considered, said Jerry May, vice president for university development.The Keck foundation is a Los Angeles-based organization founded in 1954.