California Commission for Jobs and Economic Growth Joins Gov. Schwarzenegger in Touting the State's World-Leading Science and Innovation.

BERKELEY, Calif. -- Visit to Berkeley Lab Highlights Importance of Science and Research in Fueling California's Economic Growth and Job Creation

The California Commission for Jobs and Economic Growth joined Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today to highlight the critical role of California's world-leading higher education, science and research institutions in growing the state's economy and creating new jobs.

UC Berkeley, part of the UC system that has spawned 25 percent of all California biotech companies, and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, which has spun off 15 new companies creating more than 650 California jobs, served as ideal hosts to focus attention on the integral relationship between the state's science, innovation and technology and its economic fortunes.

Governor Schwarzenegger toured Berkeley Lab with Robert Dynes, University of California President and Commission member, Robert Birgeneau, UC Berkeley Chancellor, and Dr. Steven Chu, Director of Berkeley Lab. Dr. Chu led the group through the lab's Advanced Light Source building, where hundreds of scientists from both the public and private sectors work together on cutting-edge research that will lead to new, cleaner fuels, better pharmaceuticals and faster computers.

"Among California's most important comparative advantages in competing in the global economy are its relentless spirit of innovation and its unrivaled higher education and research institutions," said Commission Co-chairman Warren Hellman. "These premier institutions are instrumental in attracting to California the brightest minds and best talent. And they are developing the technology that is driving our innovation economy, luring investment nationally and from abroad, creating new companies and growing jobs."

Governor Schwarzenegger and a number of his top cabinet members and advisors serve as honorary members on the independent, nonprofit Commission, which works on a range of economic development and job creation activities with the support of its members.

"The University of California is extremely proud of its record of translating its scientific research and technological discoveries into economic results," Dynes said. "Governor Schwarzenegger's visit today represents a welcome show of support for the role of colleges, universities and other public and private research institutions in advancing scientific discovery and fueling economic growth. We look forward to the state's continued support and advocacy."

Statistics from UC and Berkeley Lab help tell the story of their ongoing contributions to California's economic success:

--More than 160 companies have been founded on the basis of UC technology agreements.

--UC faculty and graduates have founded 1 in 4 biotech companies in California (1 in 6 nationwide).

--Berkeley Lab has spun off 15 California companies employing over 650 Californians.

--The UC system estimates it will contribute directly and indirectly to the creation of 2.3 million jobs from 2002-2011.

Some of the companies that have spun off from Berkeley Lab include:

--Nanosys, Inc. (www.nanosysinc.com), which used Berkeley Lab nanotechnology to develop the first flexible solar cell.

--QuantumDot (www.qdots.com), whose fluorescent probes can label and measure biological systems, such as living cells.

--Berkeley Heart Lab, Inc. (www.berkeleyheartlab.com), which provides cholesterol diagnosis that can reveal early indicators of cardiovascular disease far better than standard tests

In addition, UC Berkeley faculty and graduates have founded numerous key biotech companies, including Chiron, Renovis, Synopsys and Tularik.

"California's economy is an innovation economy, that's our strength and the reason California is home to the sixth largest economy in the world," Commission Executive Director Mark Mosher said. "Governor Schwarzenegger understands that and the importance of keeping all our public and private institutions of higher education and scientific research the best in the world."

Visit the California Commission for Jobs and Economic Growth website at: www.4cajobs.com.