U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, D-New York, visited Binghamton University on January 22 and pledged his support for the University’s biotechnology initiatives.

“I’m prepared to help you in any way I can,” Schumer said after touring biological sciences laboratories and talking with University researchers about their work.

Schumer was accompanied by President Lois B. DeFleur and Vice President for Research Frances Carr during his campus visit.

A major focus of the visit was Binghamton University research related to protein dynamics in such areas as medical diagnostics through protein profiling, biological and chemical sensors, and biological packaging.

Among the stops were the labs of Robert Van Buskirk and John Baust where Schumer saw beating heart cells and heard about the research the pair has done in developing innovative biosolutions that can extend the viability of tissues and organs for transplant.

Schumer pledged to work with DeFleur to enhance biotechnology research at Binghamton University. “This is the future and I’m so glad Binghamton is pursing these initiatives,” he said. ” It is important to give faculty a chance to make money and thereby create jobs, which creates even more jobs.”

DeFleur said she was very pleased to have Schumer see first hand some of the innovative research being pursued on campus.