In October 2003, the Bioengineering Institute of California (BIC) was approved as a Multicampus Research Unit.  Under the MRU, all 10 UC campuses will establish a modern information infrastructure with facilities and staffing for broadband inter-campus transmission, thus forming a network for research and teaching system-wide.  It will make possible the sharing of database, broadcasting of teaching materials, teleoperation of specialized instruments, video conferencing, and telecommunication.  The MRU will provide seed funds for inter-campus collaboration for high-risk, high payoff research, establish graduate student fellowships and facilitate intercampus joint training, set up a Traveling Seminar Program, and attract the participation of large industrial companies to facilitate academia-industry collaboration and technology transfer.  The MRU will establish state-of-the-art research core facilities for shared usage by the participating campuses.  The activities of the MRU will synergize with other units in the UC system, including the three new California Institutes for Science and Innovation.