# DNA Valley > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/DNA_Valley > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/DNA_Valley.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA_Valley > Source revision: 1356171316 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Regional economic development and geographic location}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}} '''DNA Valley''' (or '''DNA Alley'''){{Cite web|url=https://www.biospace.com/washington-dc-baltimore-proximity-access-and-dna-alley|title=Washington DC/Baltimore: Proximity, Access and DNA Alley|date=April 12, 2019|website=BioSpace}} is a region in [Maryland](/source/Maryland) that serves as a [biotechnology](/source/biotechnology) hub with a focus on [genetic medicine](/source/Medical_genetics). The corridor runs through parts of the [Washington metropolitan area](/source/Washington_metropolitan_area) and [Baltimore metropolitan area](/source/Baltimore_metropolitan_area). Roughly traced by [Rockville](/source/Rockville%2C_Maryland), [Frederick](/source/Frederick%2C_Maryland), and [Baltimore](/source/Baltimore), DNA Valley includes the innovation companies in the Maryland [I-270 technology corridor](/source/I-270_technology_corridor), the various campuses of federal entities such as the [FDA](/source/Food_and_Drug_Administration) and [NIH](/source/National_Institutes_of_Health), as well as [The University of Maryland](/source/University_of_Maryland%2C_College_Park), [Johns Hopkins University](/source/Johns_Hopkins_University), The Institute for Human Virology, and various laboratories with high [biosafety level](/source/biosafety_level)s such as [Fort Detrick](/source/Fort_Detrick). Major DNA valley cities include: [Baltimore](/source/Baltimore), [Columbia](/source/Columbia%2C_Maryland), [Germantown](/source/Germantown%2C_Maryland), [Silver Spring](/source/Silver_Spring%2C_Maryland), Rockville, [Bethesda](/source/Bethesda%2C_Maryland), [Gaithersburg](/source/Gaithersburg%2C_Maryland), [College Park](/source/College_Park%2C_Maryland), and Frederick.{{Cite web |title=Maryland Towns & Cities – Municipalities (by name) |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/01glance/html/mun.html |access-date=2023-07-28 |website=msa.maryland.gov}} The counties that make up DNA valley are [Montgomery County](/source/Montgomery_County%2C_Maryland), [Frederick County](/source/Frederick_County%2C_Maryland), [Howard County](/source/Howard_County%2C_Maryland), [Baltimore County](/source/Baltimore_County%2C_Maryland), [Anne Arundel County](/source/Anne_Arundel_County%2C_Maryland), and [Carroll County](/source/Carroll_County%2C_Maryland).{{Cite web |title=Maryland Counties, local government |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/01glance/html/county.html |access-date=2023-07-28 |website=msa.maryland.gov}} According to the [Bureau of Economic Analysis](/source/Bureau_of_Economic_Analysis), these counties contributed a combined GDP of $310,407,270 in 2021, higher than several nations. Local business leaders like Jeff Galvin expect this figure to increase in step with the growth of the biotechnology sector.{{Cite web |date=December 8, 2022 |title=Gross Domestic Product by County, 2021 |url=https://www.bea.gov/sites/default/files/2022-12/lagdp1222.pdf}} DNA Valley is home to many of Maryland's biotechnology, [pharmaceutical](/source/pharmaceutical), and life science companies including [AstraZeneca](/source/AstraZeneca), [BioNTech](/source/BioNTech), [GeneDx](/source/GeneDx), [Qiagen](/source/Qiagen), American Gene Technologies, and [GlaxoSmithKline](/source/GSK_plc).{{Cite web |title=Maryland/Baltimore Biotech, Pharma & Medical Device Company List |url=https://biopharmguy.com/links/state-md-all-geo.php |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=biopharmguy.com}} A defining feature of the region is its staggering concentration of scientists and doctors. According to [New Scientist](/source/New_Scientist), "There are more MDs and PhDs per capita in a 10-mile radius of DC than anywhere else in the country".{{cite web | url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg18424737-200-welcome-to-dna-valley/ | title=Welcome to DNA Valley }} == Etymology == The name "DNA Valley" is championed by American Gene TechnologiesⓇ CEO, Jeff Galvin.{{Cite web |last=Surdez |first=Steven |date=November 28, 2022 |title="DNA Valley" Continues to Flourish in Maryland, the Birthplace of the Human Genome Project |url=https://biobuzz.io/dna-valley-in-maryland/ |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=BioBuzz |language=en-US}} Galvin came to Maryland and the [life science](/source/List_of_life_sciences) industry after a successful career in Silicon Valley and immediately saw the similarities between the early days of the [tech](/source/Technology) industry in [Silicon Valley](/source/Silicon_Valley) and the life science industry in Maryland.{{cite web |title=DNA valley |url=https://biobuzz.io/dna-valley-in-maryland/&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1686851995387626&usg=AOvVaw0GFGR4wnBkuSfrWAt9XbcV |website=Biobuzz |access-date=April 22, 2024 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The earliest documented use of the name came from an article written by Alison George at [New Scientist](/source/New_Scientist) in 2004, as she recounted a cab ride where her driver referred to the D.C. area as "DNA Valley" because of the concentration of biotech companies in the area. DNA valley is not an actual geographical [valley](/source/valley) and is instead named as such because of the similarities between the biotechnology and life science boom in Maryland and the tech boom that occurred in Silicon Valley in the 1970s and 1980s.{{Cite web |last=Weinberger |first=Corey Protin, Matthew Stuart, Matt |title=Animated timeline shows how Silicon Valley became a $2.8 trillion neighborhood |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/silicon-valley-history-technology-industry-animated-timeline-video-2017-5 |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}} Previous to the growth of the biotechnology industry, Maryland and the surrounding regions were predominantly focused on the seafood, agriculture, and logistics industries due to the abundant [waterway](/source/waterway)s available in the state.{{cite web | title=Economic History, Institutions, and Political Economy | ECON l Department of Economics l University of Maryland | url=https://www.econ.umd.edu/landingtopic/economic-history-institutions-and-political-economy }} == History == === Role of the NIH === [[File:NIH Clinical Research Center aerial.jpg|right|thumb|The [National Institute of Health](/source/National_Institutes_of_Health) (NIH) played a central role in the emergence of DNA Valley, through its role in [the Human Genome project](/source/Human_Genome_Project), its central location in [Bethesda, Maryland](/source/Bethesda%2C_Maryland), and its investment into life sciences in the local area.|348x348px]] The [National Institutes of Health](/source/National_Institutes_of_Health) (NIH) have played a major role in the development of the life science industry boom in Maryland, and thus the creation of DNA Valley. The NIH originally moved its headquarters from the [Old Naval Observatory](/source/Old_Naval_Observatory) to Bethesda, Maryland in 1938. In 1989, as part of the launch of the Human Genome Project, the [National Center for Human Genome Research](/source/National_Center_for_Human_Genome_Research) (now known as The [National Human Genome Research Institute](/source/National_Human_Genome_Research_Institute)) was founded in Bethesda.{{Cite web |title=NHGRI History and Timeline of Events |url=https://www.genome.gov/about-nhgri/Brief-History-Timeline |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=Genome.gov |language=en}} This made Bethesda the national hub for genetic research as genetic researchers from around the country came to help sequence the [human genome](/source/human_genome).{{Cite web |date=July 9, 2015 |title=National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) |url=https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/nih-almanac/national-human-genome-research-institute-nhgri |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=National Institutes of Health (NIH) |language=EN}} This project, being one of the most influential scientific projects of the last century, planted the seeds for the eventual biotechnology hub that has formed in the area since. The infrastructure and attention to the industry that the [NCHGR](/source/National_Human_Genome_Research_Institute) and the [HGP](/source/Human_Genome_Project) brought to Maryland are what opened the door to the extensive cell and gene therapy industries that Maryland and DNA Valley are now home to. The NHGRI is not the only [NIH subsidiary](/source/List_of_institutes_and_centers_of_the_National_Institutes_of_Health) that has led to DNA Valley becoming such a major life science hub. The NIH as a whole has fueled the [biotech industry](/source/Biotechnology) in Maryland as the research done at the [federally funded](/source/Federally_funded_research_and_development_centers) facilities has resulted in new fields of research, new tools, and highly trained researchers that often remain in the area and create their own life science companies.{{Cite web |date=January 30, 2023 |title=Revolutionizing Science |url=https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/impact-nih-research/revolutionizing-science |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=National Institutes of Health (NIH) |language=EN}} For example, the work done by [Roscoe Brady](/source/Roscoe_Brady), MD, PhD on [viral vector](/source/viral_vector)s caught the attention of entrepreneur Jeff Galvin, inspiring him to found American Gene Technologies and pursue potential cures for diseases like HIV, PKU, and certain cancers.. The NIH also funds outside research in the area, which further allows for the industry to flourish as more companies want to be based near the [NIH headquarters](/source/National_Institutes_of_Health_campus) in Bethesda.{{Cite web |title=Meet NIH-Funded Researchers {{!}} Diversity in Extramural Programs |url=https://extramural-diversity.nih.gov/career-pathways/meet-researchers/all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220080742/https://extramural-diversity.nih.gov/career-pathways/meet-researchers/all |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 20, 2019 |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=extramural-diversity.nih.gov}} A variety of life science-related conferences are held annually at the NIH headquarters in Bethesda, such as [workshop](/source/workshop)s, trainings, and [professional conference](/source/professional_conference)s, all of which not only bring attention and prestige to the life science industry in Maryland, but also result in a better trained and [educated population](/source/Education) in the area, allowing for the further success of the industry.{{Cite web |title=News & Events |url=https://www.nih.gov/news-events |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=National Institutes of Health (NIH) |language=EN}} The NIH is not exclusively located in Bethesda and has a variety of campuses in Maryland. [The Bayview Campus](/source/Johns_Hopkins_Bayview_Medical_Center) in [Baltimore](/source/Baltimore) contains the research programs of the [National Institute of Aging](/source/National_Institute_on_Aging) and the [National Institute of Drug Abuse](/source/National_Institute_on_Drug_Abuse). The [Frederick National Laboratory](/source/Frederick_National_Laboratory_for_Cancer_Research) and Riverside Research Park are home to the [National Cancer Institute](/source/National_Cancer_Institute), which includes the [Center for Cancer Research](/source/Cancer_Research_Institute).{{Cite web |date=July 7, 2015 |title=National Cancer Institute (NCI) |url=https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/nih-almanac/national-cancer-institute-nci |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=National Institutes of Health (NIH) |language=EN}} The widespread footprint of the NIH in Maryland directly correlates to the biotech boom that resulted in DNA Valley, as the highest concentrations of life science companies are located in the same locations of Rockville, Frederick, and Baltimore. === Rise of genetic medicine === {{Main|Gene therapy|Medical genetics|}} [[File:Gene therapy press conference.jpg|left|thumb|Scientists R. Michael Blaese, [W. French Anderson](/source/William_French_Anderson), and [Kenneth Culver](/source/Kenneth_Culver) at the press conference that announced the start of the first ever [gene therapy](/source/gene_therapy) trial for [severe combined immunodeficiency](/source/severe_combined_immunodeficiency) (SCID) in 1990. |465x465px]] The first speculation about the plausibility of introducing [DNA sequences](/source/Nucleic_acid_sequence) into patient's [cells](/source/Cell_(biology)) to cure diseases occurred in the 1960s.{{Cite web |last=Fliesler |first=Nancy |date=December 22, 2020 |title=A short history of gene therapy |url=https://answers.childrenshospital.org/gene-therapy-history/ |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=Boston Children's Answers |language=en-US}} Then in 1972, [Theodore Friedman](/source/Theodore_Friedman) and Richard Roblin published a paper in [Science](/source/Science_(journal)) named "Gene Therapy for Human Genetic Diseases?", which detailed the possibility of inserting [unmutated](/source/Mutation) or healthy DNA to cure patients with [genetic diseases](/source/Genetic_disorder).{{Cite web |date=February 1, 2010 |title=Gene Therapy History |url=https://www.news-medical.net/health/Gene-Therapy-History.aspx |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=News-Medical.net |language=en}} However, this paper also urged that the technology be furthered with caution as a result of the lack of understanding of the technology and its potential effects.{{Cite journal |last1=Friedmann |first1=T. |last2=Roblin |first2=R. |date=March 3, 1972 |title=Gene therapy for human genetic disease? |journal=Science |volume=175 |issue=4025 |pages=949–955 |doi=10.1126/science.175.4025.949 |issn=0036-8075 |pmid=5061866|bibcode=1972Sci...175..949F |s2cid=19952096 }} They were primarily worried about the lack of knowledge about [genetic recombination](/source/genetic_recombination) and [gene regulation](/source/Regulation_of_gene_expression), lack of understanding about the relationship between genetic mutations and diseases, and the lack of understanding of the potential side effects of gene therapy.{{Cite web |last=Mitha |first=Farhan |date=November 4, 2020 |title=The Return of Gene Therapy |url=https://www.labiotech.eu/in-depth/gene-therapy-history/ |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=Labiotech.eu |language=en-US}} For 18 years after that paper was published, further research was conducted to help limit the risks detailed by Theodore Friedman and Richard Roblin. Then in 1990, the first successful gene therapy trial was launched. A four-year-old girl named [Ashanthi De Silva](/source/Ashanthi_De_Silva) with severe combined immunodeficiency ([SCID](/source/Severe_combined_immunodeficiency)) was treated with gene therapy. Ashanthi was lacking the [enzyme](/source/enzyme) [adenosine deaminase](/source/adenosine_deaminase) (ADA), which caused her [T-cells](/source/T_cell) to die, leaving her with little to no protection against infection. To treat this, Dr. W. French Anderson from the [National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute](/source/National_Heart%2C_Lung%2C_and_Blood_Institute) in Bethesda, Maryland, delivered the correct ADA gene, using a disabled virus, to white blood cells that had been removed from her body, and then injected the cells back into her body. The rise of gene therapy was not easy as it suffered a major setback in 1999 with the trials at the [University of Pennsylvania](/source/University_of_Pennsylvania). During the trials, an 18-year-old named [Jesse Gelsinger](/source/Jesse_Gelsinger) who had the genetic disease [ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency](/source/ornithine_transcarbamylase_deficiency), died from an [immune response](/source/immune_response) after being treated with a working gene carried by an [adenovirus](/source/Adenoviridae). The early 2010s brought back the evolution of gene therapy as a potential cure to many different diseases. New delivery methods for the gene therapies were discovered, thus making the techniques significantly safer. Researchers also added [enhancers](/source/Enhancer_(genetics)) and [promoters](/source/Promoter_(genetics)), which allowed for better control of the gene as they could decide when and where it would be turned on and to what extent. These discoveries, along with others made during this period, allowed gene therapy to regain its momentum and move to the forefront of [Medical Technology](/source/Medical_Technology) development. There was then a wave of approvals for gene therapy techniques from 2003 to 2012, including therapies for cancer, artery disease, and others. Since then, the rate of development and approval of gene therapies has increased, with the FDA expecting to approve between 10 and 20 gene therapies each year until 2025.{{Cite web |last=Healthcare |first=GlobalData |date=February 5, 2019 |title=FDA gene therapy: regulator prepares for expected surge in trials |url=https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/comment/fda-gene-therapy/ |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=Pharmaceutical Technology |language=en-US}} == Economy == The D.C. / Maryland area has the second-highest rated life science hub in the United States, with Maryland alone providing 44,260 jobs in life science.{{Cite web |last=Astrix |date=October 27, 2022 |title=The Top Ten Life Science Hubs in the US |url=https://astrixinc.com/the-top-ten-life-science-hubs-in-the-us/ |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=Astrix |language=en-US}} Maryland life science businesses generated over $18.6 billion in 2018, paid over $4.9 billion in wages, with an average salary of $110,690.{{Cite web |date=2026-04-25 |title=Major Life Sciences Employers in Maryland |url=https://commerce.maryland.gov/Documents/ResearchDocument/MarylandLifeSciencesIndustryFactSheet.pdf}} Maryland also boasted the 5th highest concentration of [doctoral scientists](/source/Doctor_of_Science) and engineers and the highest [STEM](/source/Science%2C_technology%2C_engineering%2C_and_mathematics) concentration in the country in 2022.{{Cite web |title=State Rankings {{!}} Maryland Business Data |url=https://business.maryland.gov/data/rankings |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=business.maryland.gov}} Between 2017 and 2022, the life science research jobs increased by 19%, which was larger than the national growth rate of 16%, indicating a particular focus on the industry in Maryland.{{Cite web |last=Media |first=BioBuzz |date=June 13, 2023 |title=Why the Maryland Region Was Ranked #3 for Top Life Sciences Research Talent by CBRE |url=https://biobuzz.io/maryland-region-ranked-3-for-life-sciences-research-talen-cbre/ |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=BioBuzz |language=en-US}} The region has more than double the amount of federal research labs than any other state, partly due to the presence of the [NIH](/source/National_Institutes_of_Health) headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland. Maryland also has the 11th lowest [unemployment rate](/source/Unemployment) at 2.5% in 2023, which is partly a result of the booming biotech and life science industry in the area.{{Cite web |title=Unemployment Rates for States |url=https://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=www.bls.gov |language=en-us}} === Housing === Maryland, and by association DNA Valley, has a severe [affordable housing](/source/affordable_housing) shortage, with only approximately 30 affordable and available [rental units](/source/Renting) for every 100 extremely low income families and a total housing shortage of 120,000 units.{{Cite web |date=March 31, 2023 |title=Maryland's 'local control' over housing worsens shortage crisis {{!}} GUEST COMMENTARY |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/opinion/op-ed/bs-ed-op-maryland-housing-crisis-20230331-3juxbyqieff2jltz5yroo27m6y-story.html |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=Baltimore Sun}} This is possibly due to the boom in life science jobs in the area, while the creation of housing units has remained constant, leading to the imbalance. DNA Valley also includes some of the highest [cost of living](/source/cost_of_living) areas in the country, with D.C. having the second highest and [Maryland](/source/Maryland) having the sixth highest.{{Cite web |title=Cost of Living by State 2023 |url=https://wisevoter.com/state-rankings/cost-of-living-by-state/ |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=Wisevoter |language=en-US}} === Notable companies === Thousands of life science companies are headquartered in DNA Valley. The following are some of the notable companies based in the area:{{Cite web |title=Maryland/Baltimore Biotech, Pharma & Medical Device Company List |url=https://biopharmguy.com/links/state-md-all-geo.php |access-date=2023-07-28 |website=biopharmguy.com}} {{Columns-list|colwidth=15em| * 20/20 Gene Systems * 3CPM AAVnerGene * AAVogen * ACell * Adaptive Phage Therapeutics * Adjuvant Partners * Advanced BioScience Labs * Advanced Biotechnologies * AgeneBio Akonni Biosystems * Allucent Alphyn Biologics * Altimmune * Amarex Clinical Research * American Gene Technologies * Amethyst Technologies * AnGes * Antidote Therapeutics * Aphena Pharma Solutions * Arcellx * Arraystar * Ascentage Pharma * AscentGene * AsclepiX Therapeutics * Asklepion Pharmaceuticals * AssayGate * AstraZeneca * Ataia Medical * Autonomous Therapeutics * Avalo Therapeutics * Aziyo Biologics * Becton Dickinson * Bioassay Works * Biofactura * Biojo Sciences * Biological Mimetics * Biologics Resources * Biomarker Strategies * Bionavigen * BiOneCure Therapeutics * BioNTech * Bioqual * BioReliance * Biostorage Lab Services * BioStorage LLC * BLA Regulatory * BondTrue * BrainCool * BrainScope * Cage Pharma * Cartesian Therapeutics * CASI Pharmaceuticals * Cellomics * Cellphire Therapeutics * Cellular Biomedicine Group * CentryMed Pharmaceutical * Cerium Pharmaceuticals * Charles River Laboratories * Charles River Laboratories * ChemPacific * ChiRhoClin * CiVi Biopharma * CNBX Pharmaceuticals * CoapTech * Codex Biosolutions * Cogentis Therapeutics * Consortium AI * CosmosID * CraniUS * Creatv MicroTech * CRScube * CSSi LifeSciences * Cytimmune * Deka Biosciences * Delfi Diagnostics * Diagnostic Biochips * DNA Analytics * DP Clinical * EliteImmune * Elixirgen Scientific * Elixirgen Therapeutics * Emergent Biosolutions * Eminent Services * Emmes * ExeGi Pharma * ExoLytics * Eyedea Medical * Fina Biosolutions * Firma Clinical Research * Flavocure Biotech * Forecyte Bio * Fyodor Biotechnologies * FZata * Galen Robotics * GeneCopoeia * GeneDx * Gliknik * GlycoMimetics * Glyscend Therapeutics * Haystack Oncology * Hemagen Diagnostics * HeMemics Biotechnologies * i-Cordis Ibex Biosciences * IBT Bioservices * Immunodiagnostic Systems * Immunomic Therapeutics * ImQuest BioSciences * Innovative Cellular Therapeutics * Integrated BioTherapeutics * Integrated Pharma Services * Interbiome * IZI Medical * Jubilant Cadista * KaloCyte * KCRN Research * Kemp Proteins * Key Tech * Kolon TissueGene * Leadiant Biosciences * Leidos Biomedical Research * LKC Technologies * Longhorn Vaccines * Lonza Lung Biotechnology * Lupin * MacroGenics * MAGBIO Genomics * Maxcyte * Maxim Biomedical * Medcura * Medifocus * Medigen * Meso Scale Discovery * miRecule * Moss Bio * MyMD Pharmaceuticals * NeoDiagnostix * NeoImmuneTech * Neuraly * Neuronascent * Newzen Pharma * NexImmune * NextCure * Noble Life Sciences * Northwest Biotherapeutics * Novavax * Noxilizer * OncoC4 * OpGen * Orgenesis * Origene * OS Therapies * Otomagnetics * OTraces * Otsuka * Paradigm Shift Therapeutics * Parexel * PathoVax * PepVax * PeriCor * Personal Genome Diagnostics * Pharmaceutics International * Pharmaron * Pinney Associates * Polaris Genomics * Poochon * Proteomics Solutions * Precigen Precision Biologics * Precision for Medicine * Previse * Primera Therapeutics * Processa Pharmaceuticals * Propagenix * Protein Potential * Psomagen * Qiagen * RareMoon Consulting * Ravgen * ReGelTec * RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals * ReGenX Biosciences * Relavo * Restorative Therapies * ReveraGen BioPharma * Rise Therapeutics * Rithim Biologics * RNAimmune * Robin Medical * RoosterBio * RRD International * RS BioTherapeutics * Salubris Biotherapeutics * Sanaria * Sapio Sciences * Scanogen * Sensei Biotherapeutics * Senseonics * Sequella * Seracare Life Sciences * Seraxis * Shuttle Pharmaceuticals * Sigmovir Biosystems * SilcsBio * Sirnaomics * Sonavex * SPEED BioSystems * SriSai Biopharmaceutical Solutions * Supernus Pharmaceuticals * SYNAPS Dx * Syngene * Sysmex * Tailored Therapeutics * Tasly Pharmaceutical * TCR2 Therapeutics * TeraImmune * Terumo Medical * Tetracore * Texcell * Theradaptive * Theriva Biologics * Thermo Fisher * Tonix Pharmaceuticals * TrimGen * Trophogen * uBriGene * United Therapeutics * US Medical Innovations * Valneva * ValtedSeq * Vasoptic Medical * Vector BioMed * VeraChem * Veralox Therapeutics * Vici Health Sciences * Vigilant Bioservices * Vita Therapeutics * VLP Therapeutics * Wellstat Group * Westat * WindMIL Therapeutics * X-Cor Therapeutics * Xcision Medical Systems * xMD Diagnostics * XpressBio * Zalgen Labs * Zeteo Tech * Zylacta * ZyMot fertility }} == Demographics == Depending on what geographic regions (particularly parts of Washington, D.C.) are included in the meaning of the term, the population of DNA Valley is between 2 million and 3.5 million.{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Maryland |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/MD/PST045222 |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=www.census.gov |language=en}} According to the [U.S. Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau), almost a third of DNA Valley's population is [Black or of African descent](/source/Black_people), 11% are of [Hispanic](/source/Hispanic) descent and 6.9% is of [Asian](/source/Asian_people) descent. === Diversity === DNA Valley is one of the most diverse areas in the country, with 3 of the 10 most diverse [communities](/source/communities) in the area, those being Gaithersburg, Germantown, and Silver Spring.{{Cite web |title=News {{!}} Gaithersburg, MD |url=https://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/Home/Components/News/News/5365/16#:~:text=WalletHub%20has%20named%20Gaithersburg%20the%20#1%20Most%20Diverse%20City%20in%20America&text=3:20%20PM-,WalletHub%20has%20named%20Gaithersburg%20the%20#1%20Most%20Diverse%20City%20in,communities%20with%20populations%20under%20100,000 |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=www.gaithersburgmd.gov |language=en}} Biotechnology as a whole is not a typically diverse field, being overwhelmingly dominated by white (56%) and Asian (21%) employees.{{Cite web |date=2026-04-25 |title=Measuring Diversity in the Biotech Industry |url=https://www.bio.org/sites/default/files/2022-06/261734_BIO_22_DEI_Report_P4.pdf}} Even greater disparity is seen among executives, with 72% of execs being White and 15% being Asian. The biotech hub in DNA Valley tends to differ from this norm, likely due to the diversity of the area.{{Cite web |last=Surdez |first=Steven |date=February 2, 2021 |title=Diversity in Biotech, Industry's Next Big Challenge |url=https://biobuzz.io/diversity-in-biotech-industrys-next-big-challenge/ |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=BioBuzz |language=en-US}} ==== Gender ==== {{See also|Sexism in the technology industry}} Similarly to race, [gender disparity](/source/gender_disparity) is quite significant in the field of [biotechnology](/source/biotechnology), with males dominating the space, particularly in positions of power. 66% of executives and 79% of CEOs are men. DNA Valley follows this trend, as in 2021, women only made up around 22% of the executive positions at biotechnology companies.{{Cite web |date=December 30, 2022 |title=Gender diversity in MD better but lags in C-Suite and boardroom positions |url=https://thedailyrecord.com/2022/12/30/gender-diversity-in-maryland-fares-better-but-still-lags-in-c-suite-and-boardroom-positions/,%20https://thedailyrecord.com/2022/12/30/gender-diversity-in-maryland-fares-better-but-still-lags-in-c-suite-and-boardroom-positions/ |access-date=2023-07-17 |language=en-US }}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} One possible explanation for this, as proposed by Harvard Senior Research Associate [Vivek Wadhwa](/source/Vivek_Wadhwa), is that parents tend to not encourage their daughters to pursue a career in science and engineering as much as they would with their sons.{{Cite web |date=May 15, 2010 |title=Fixing Societal Problems: It Starts With Mom and Dad |url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/05/15/fixing-societal-problems-it-starts-with-mom-and-dad/ |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}} Wadhwa also cites the lack of potential role models for women in the science and engineering fields in comparison to men. However, interestingly, Maryland has the highest average salary for female CEOS, at around $280,000, which may be in part due to the higher average salaries in Maryland in general.{{Cite web |last=Hoff |first=Madison |title=The 20 states with the most women CEOs |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/states-with-the-largest-share-of-women-ceos-and-earnings-2020-4 |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}} [Washington D.C.](/source/Washington%2C_D.C.) also has the second-highest [female CEO](/source/List_of_female_top_executives) percentage in the country at 47.5%, which would change the DNA Valley numbers depending on whether you include D.C. in the geographical boundaries of the region. There have been concerted efforts to fix the current lack of females in Maryland life science fields, including the founding of a Women in Bio (WIB) chapter in the D.C. region in 2011.{{Cite web |title=WIB-Capital Region |url=https://www.womeninbio.org/page/Capital |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=Women in Bio |language=en}} The focus of this chapter is to promote diversity and inclusion for all women in life science-related fields. WIB also sponsors the [Herstory](/source/Herstory) Gala, in Rockville, Maryland every year to celebrate the women trailblazers in life sciences that have had an impact on the field in the DNA Valley area.{{Cite web |title=Women In Bio |url=https://www.womeninbio.org/event/Capital42122 |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=Women in Bio |language=en |archive-date=2023-07-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710205439/https://www.womeninbio.org/event/Capital42122 |url-status=dead }} ==== Statistics ==== Maryland, and thus DNA Valley, is considered one of the most [diverse](/source/Cultural_diversity) states in the country, based both on religious and [ethnic group](/source/Ethnicity) diversity. DNA Valley's population is made up of 32% [Black](/source/Black_people), 7% [Asian](/source/Asian_people), 12% [Hispanic or Latino](/source/Hispanic_and_Latino_(ethnic_categories)), and 1% Native American people.{{cite web | url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/MD | title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Maryland }} In terms of religious affiliations, DNA Valley's population is divided into 69% [Christian-based faiths](/source/List_of_Christian_denominations) (mostly made up of equal percentages of [Evangelical Protestant](/source/Evangelicalism), [Mainline Protestant](/source/Mainline_Protestant), Historically Black Protestant, and [Catholic](/source/Catholic_Church)), 23% not affiliated with any faith, and 8% having [non-Christian-based faiths](/source/Non-Christian_Religions), primarily made up of Jewish, [Muslim](/source/Muslims), [Buddhist](/source/Buddhism), and [Hindu](/source/Hindus) faiths{{Cite web |title=Maryland Population 2023 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs) |url=https://worldpopulationreview.com/states/maryland-population |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=worldpopulationreview.com}} == Education == The funding for public schools in DNA Valley varies drastically depending on the area as a result of increased grants from private foundations in wealthier areas such as [Montgomery County](/source/Montgomery_County%2C_Maryland) and particularly [Bethesda](/source/Bethesda%2C_Maryland). Less wealthy areas such as [Garret County](/source/Garrett_County%2C_Maryland) rely on state funding{{Cite web |date=2026-04-25 |title=Selected Financial Data - Maryland Public Schools - 2018 - 2019 |url=https://marylandpublicschools.org/about/Documents/DBS/SFD/2018-2019/SFD20182019Part1.pdf}} == See also == * [List of technology centers](/source/List_of_technology_centers) * [List of life sciences](/source/List_of_life_sciences) == References == {{reflist}} Category:Biotechnology --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [DNA Valley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA_Valley) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA_Valley?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.