One of New York State's most innovative and ambitious high technology initiatives is the establishment of "Centers of Excellence" at leading universities. The Centers support high technology ventures through a collaborative approach among the State, academia, private venture capital companies, and other private and public sector parties. Established to encourage rapid commercialization of scientific breakthroughs, the Centers specialize in nanoelectronics, bioinformatics, photonics, environmental systems, wireless applications, and information technology.

Below are highlights of some of the Centers:

• The Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics & Life Sciences at Buffalo seeks to decipher the structure of proteins and genes. The collaboration includes the University of Buffalo's Center for Computational Research, Roswell Park, the Hauptman Woodward Medical Research Institute, and private life science firms.
  
  
• The Infotonics Technology Center of Excellence, located in Canandaigua near Rochester, is devoted to helping create and support technology transfer and pilot fabrication facilities for high-resolution imaging and ultra-fast communications devices that can be shared by Center partners to accelerate product development. The collaboration includes industrial participants such as Corning Inc., Eastman Kodak Company, and Xerox Corporation. Academic participants include some 20 New York State colleges and universities, including the Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Rochester. The Center is operated by the Infotonics Technology Center Inc., a not-for-profit corporation.
  
  
• The Center of Excellence in  Nanoelectronics at Albany is establishing a state-of-the-art 300-millimeter computer wafer pilot and prototyping facility, representing the only one of its kind in the world. The Center's elaborate project is being developed in collaboration with IBM and the University of Albany and will lead to the State's emergence as a leader in the in the nanoelectronics industry.
  
  
• The Center of Excellence in Information Technology (IT) on Long Island will draw on area businesses' world-class expertise in information technology and software and top flight local universities and colleges. Development of this Center will provide a national and international platform for advanced research and growth in the commercialization of new IT applications and products.
  
  
• The Center of Excellence in Environmental & Energy Innovations will house state-of-the-art labs and research facilities for the performance of cutting edge research and development, highlighting Central New York's potential as a leader in environmental systems engineering. It represents a collaborative venture between the State, private industry, Syracuse University, the Metropolitan Development Association of Central New York, and other academic and research partners.
   
• The Center of Excellence in Small Scale Systems Integration and Packaging at Binghamton focuses on the development of new electronic applications that will enhance the way people live and interact with their surroundings. In partnership with academia, government and industry, the Center will address research challenges in small scale systems design, development, prototyping, process development, and manufacturing for the microelectronics industry. The Center houses internationally recognized expertise in electronics packaging, materials and sensor development, as well as a national roll-to-roll manufacturing R&D center focused on flexible electronics.