By 2050, the world population will surge to 9 Billion, and feeding that growing population is a challenge that drives the global biotech community every day. In a world where already 1 Billion people suffer from hunger, we cannot let up in our efforts to develop and implement new, more sustainable agricultural practices.

Check out this video highlighting how biotech can help us feed the world.

Yesterday, our friends at BIOtechNOW posted the following information about participating in a survey about the FDA.  We encourage you to check it out:

Posted by georgeatbio on February 1st, 2010

In an ideal world, everyone would have a strong and positive relationship with the FDA. With that as a goal, PricewaterhouseCoopers has launched its fifth survey –Improving America’s Health V Survey – to gauge the working relationship between the life sciences industry and the FDA. Your feedback is important to make this survey a success.

To participate, please send an email to PricewaterhouseCoopers.and.BIOCOM@us.pwc.com with “Life Sciences FDA Survey” in the subject line. A survey will then be forwarded to you. The survey should take only 15 to 20 minutes to complete. All responses to the survey will be kept confidential and private.

Those who participate in the survey will receive a preview copy of the results prior to their public release. The survey will close on Feb. 26. Please help foster improved relations between our industry and the FDA.

As you all know, the new movie Extraordinary Measures will be opening in theaters on January 22nd. The film features Harrison Ford, Brendan Fraser and Keri Russell in an inspirational story about a father who will do anything to find a cure for his children’s disease using biotechnology.

Stories of biotechnology saving and enriching people’s lives are extraordinary, but not the exception. Share your story or the story of a biotech breakthrough with us and contribute to the Extraordinary Measures Inspirational Quilt and you could win $10,000 for your organization, charity or cause. The “quilt” is an online compilation of videos about individual stories of “strength to make their own miracles.” Once you have submitted your video for the quilt, email it to us at yourstory@iambiotech.org so we can include it on IAmBiotech.org.

Do you know someone in the biotechnology sector who is working to improve the lives of others?  If so nominate them for the Biotech Humanitarian Award.  The honoree for the Biotech Humanitarian Award will be recognized at the 2010 BIO International Convention in Chicago where they also will receive $10,000 to further their work.

We are looking to recognize the everyday heroes who are working to improve the world through biotech.  We need your help.

Nominate anyone in the biotechnology industry for this honor, including advocates, scientists, researchers, academics, entrepreneurs, financiers, philanthropists, educators and others.  Nominations must be submitted by January 31^st and can be made online at iambiotech.org/award.

At Ceregene, researchers are pioneering a unique method to deliver neurotrophic factors, naturally occurring proteins essential during the early development of the brain and eye, to diseased and dying nerve cells.  The gene delivery technology is a highly targeted approach that could lead to significant breakthroughs for people with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, among other devastating illnesses.

Dr. Steve Sherwin, is co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors for Ceregene.  He is also Chairman of the Board of the trade association BIO (which sponsors this site).

He recently offered his thoughts to Ashley McMaster, the editor of BIO’s SmartBrief, on where the industry is headed in 2010.  This is a great snapshot of the hurdles the biotech industry will face.

From the fight against deadly diseases to feeding a growing world population to stopping global warming, you are there on the front lines.

We launched IAmBiotech last year to help support your work and connect you with others across the industry. And what better place to do that than the 2010 BIO International Convention.

We just launched a contest for free roundtrip airfare and a complimentary registration to the Convention.

Sign up today and be entered to win, and make sure you tell all your friends and colleagues in the industry to join you!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO WIN

At the San Diego Biotech Network’s “Bootstrapping Biotech” event last month, we met some great people who are involved in the local community. Take a look at this interview with Philip Skinner, who works in drug discovery at a small biotech company.

Last Friday and Saturday, we attended BIL:PIL 2009 an unconference that brought together entrepreneurs, health professionals, technologists and laypeople to discuss the future of healthcare.

Click here to read a wrap-up post from BIL:PIL organizer and friend of IAmBiotech, Jonathan Sheffi.

And, stay tuned as we bring you some great video from the event this week!