The Troy Record reports that yesterday RPI announced a $7 million gift from Morris Silverman to fund the Noble Enterprise Constellation, a group that will conduct research into regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. RPI will match the donation, bringing total funding of the constellation to $14 million. This announcement was made at the recently-opened Amtrak station in Rensselaer, NY.

According to the Record article, Governor George Pataki said, "This partnership {between} RPI and New York State strengthens my efforts to make certain New York leads in developing the technology to protect our health, preserve our peace, and improve our lives." RPI President Shirley Jackson reportedly said, "Advances in biotechnology will bring considerable international recognition to the capital region, and it will attract funding for scientific inquiry and promote economic development."