Metro New Jobs? from page 15 Today, the worst water crisis in Israel's history has caused tunity for entrepreneurial partner- ship between Michigan and Israel. TechTown has nearly 20 companies working on different aspects of stem cell research. In 2010, TechTown will officially open the nation's first Stem Cell Commercialization Center, which will work with these and other companies to get FDA approval and commercialize their products. "We are building a business and laboratory incubator in regen- erative medicine — replacing damaged cells in the body with healthy ones:' said Jim Eliason, director of the TechTown Stem Cell Commercialization Center. "Israeli stem cell companies and others will be able to come to TechTown and go right into clinical trials." According to Bernie Siegel, execu- tive director of the Genetics Policy Institute, the novel structure and purpose of TechTown's Stem Cell Commercialization Center played a role in the Institute's decision to choose Detroit as the site for the 2010 World Stem Cell Summit next October. The Genetics Policy Institute will co-host the sum- mit with the University Research Corridor at the Detroit Renaissance Center Marriott, attracting between 1,200 and1,500 scientists, regulators, advocates and policymakers from more than 30 countries. "Detroit and Wayne State University are the fulcrum of the Great Lakes region:' said Siegel, who founded the Genetics Policy Institute to advance the field of stem cell research. "While others look at Detroit and see something they don't like, we look at Detroit and see opportunity. In terms of stem cell research, we believe this city will showcase very well at our conference and that Michigan has an unprec- edented opportunity to make this work:' Work, or rather, job creation, is the essence of what the TechTown and MIBB partnership hopes to ultimately achieve. "In this town, you have the most talented, hard- working people,' said Pelz, "and our company can bring them at least 50 new jobs. America has been a great friend to Israel. If we can give back by bringing jobs to Michigan, I think that would be the best." 17 a dramatic drop in Israel's usable water supply. Quotas for farmers and water rationing for Israelis have already begun. JNF's network of over 200 reservoirs and dams provides water to 1.5 million Israelis every day. But that is not enough. JNF has now committed $100 million to build 40 new reservoirs, explore new water sources, support drilling projects, promote conservation and education activities, and implement new agricultural techniques. We can't wait for miracles. We need you now. Donate today! wwwjntorg 1.888.JNF.0099 *IV jcc maccabi .44■10111, jcc maccabi* M E JCC Maccabi Games host communities: Denver, CO ' August 1-6 Richmond, VAN August 1-6 Baltimore, MD N August 8-13 JCC Maccabi ArtsFest host community: San Rafael, CAN August 8-13 2010 JCC Maccabi Games Information Meeting For Parents, Athletes and Artists Sunday, January 17, 2010 - 4 p.m. Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit • D. Dan & Betty Kahn Building Eugene & Marcia Applebaum Jewish Community Campus • 6600 W. Maple Rd, West Bloomfield Meet the coaches, receive tryout/audition schedule and hear other important information For more information please contact Karen Gordon at 248.432.5482 or kgordon@jccdet.org . Up-to-date schedules can be found at www.maccabidetroit.or Francine Wunder is director of . A b._ THE CENTER 16 corporate/public affairs at Wayne State University in Detroit. 56041 0 December 24 • 2009 itA,Oetiel,*1441..64 14iViNte\Vi.,\Vtikase:::ivitt:'4•Pitev4ok " AwrzA _ i=t*ialtwo NW N. sivr e,4 4 0tefoile,44. 4.44 x -otiv o4 sotka k tokti ,keatv aet ra ,44% .4 4