PATRICK AND NOBEL LAUREATE MELLO ADDRESS LOCAL LEADERS AND STUDENTS IN BEIJING
Governor's Address Focuses on Innovation and Collaboration; Trade Mission Updates Available Online
Governor Patrick joined 2006 Nobel Laureate Dr. Craig Mello of the University of Massachusetts Medical School, who delivered a lecture entitled "RNAi: From Mechanism Beyond," which explains the innovation and collaboration that led to the ability to silence a gene - a discovery offering promise to cure diseases such as diabetes or cancer.
"We have come to refresh and renew a 200-year-old relationship," said Governor Patrick. "We seek to build new partnerships on old friendships. We want to learn how you are meeting the challenges you face for advances in education, healing and clean power. And we seek to share lessons we have learned and are still learning in each of these fields."
"We not only need great scientists, but we also need great leaders and policies to create the right environment for scientific discovery that lead to new treatments for diseases we have yet to tackle," said Mello.
The Massachusetts-China Partnership delegation comprised of leaders in the fields of life sciences, clean energy and higher education also attended the event.
The Commonwealth's trade mission to China aims to strengthen innovation and collaboration around clean energy, life sciences, education and transportation. This visit will be the first in a series of steps Governor Patrick takes to strengthen the Massachusetts-China relationship.
The agenda includes meetings in Beijing and Shanghai with Chinese companies and universities focused on China's academic, research and development and commercial achievements.
Press inquiries in Boston should be directed to Press Secretary Kyle Sullivan at 617-725-4025. Inquiries in China or questions regarding scheduling interviews should be directed to Deputy Press Secretary Becky Deusser at 617-851-8200 or rebecca.deusser@state.ma.us.
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