Mello invited to State House

Before winning the 2006 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, Shrewsbury resident Craig Mello often didn’t receive much attention from neighbors when talking about the work he does at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester. Now, he says, they’re much more intrigued.

Mello was presented with the prestigious award along with his colleague Andrew Fire of Stanford University for discovering a technique to silence targeted genes using a form of ribonucleic acid.

Since being honored by the Nobel Foundation, Mello’s life has predictably changed and in more ways than the $1 million in prize money could provide. He’s now often cited as a prime example of Massachusetts’ burgeoning biotechnology industry.

Last week, Mello was invited to be a keynote speaker at a rare joint session of the Legislature during which Gov. Deval Patrick introduced his 10-year, $1 billion life sciences legislation.

“The environment that you help to create facilitates our work,” Mello told legislators gathered in the House chamber for Patrick’s announcement. “Without your investment, it just wouldn’t be possible.”

Mello urged legislators to vote in favor of the Governor’s bill, which includes $500 million in capital funds for the creation of the Massachusetts Stem Cell Bank and an RNAi center, as well as $15 million for the Massachusetts Life Sciences Investment Fund to finance research.

“We really can make a difference in people’s lives with the development of new medicine,” Mello said. “With your support, truly great discoveries will be made in this state and in the process we’ll create jobs.”

According to Mello, since Alfred Nobel created the Nobel Foundation in 1900, approximately 67 prizes have been given to Massachusetts’ residents. The United States received all the 2006 Nobel Prizes in science.

Patrick noted Mello’s scientific breakthrough in his address to legislators and said he hopes to draw more talented individuals to the state with his bill.

“Dr. Mello’s work on gene silencing holds the promise for cures,” he said. “I call on each of you in this chamber for swift and favorable action on this bill.”

Other items in Patrick’s legislation include increasing the number of appointees to the Massachusetts Life Sciences Board from two to four, creating a life sciences advisory board and lifting the cap on life sciences administrative funding.

He also wants to expand benefits in the tax code for life science companies.

Senate President Therese Murray, who presided over the joint session, was optimistic about Mello’s and Fire’s breakthrough, saying we all know someone with a disease such as diabetes or cancer.

“Dr. Mello gives us hope,” she said. “Imagine one day being able to switch off the cancer gene.”

Shrewsbury’s two legislative representatives, Sen. Edward Augustus (D-Worcester) and Rep. Karyn Polito (R-Shrewsbury) both expressed support for Patrick’s bill in varying degrees, although the $1 billion price tag was of concern to some.

When asked about the legislation, Polito said she is supportive of portions of the bill but because of the amount of money Patrick is proposing to invest, she would like to review the issue further.

Augustus was excited about the prospects for the Worcester region if the legislation is passed.

“Given the fact that the Medical School is based in Worcester, I think we stand to disproportionately benefit,” he said.

Massachusetts needs to focus on nurturing the amount of talent it has and drawing other talented individuals like Mello to the state, Augustus added.

If the stem cell bank is built, it will be the world’s largest repository of new stem cell lines, according to the Governor’s office.

“This is the future of life sciences here in Massachusetts,” said Patrick.

After the joint session convened, Mello joined legislators for a private reception to talk about his work and Patrick’s legislation.