October 7, 2008 Alum gives Harvard $125M for bioengineering center

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) - A business school alumnus has given Harvard University its largest individual donation ever - $125 million to start a bioengineering institute.

The mission of the Hansjorg Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering is to discover the engineering principles nature uses to build living things, then use that information to create devices and technologies to meet medical needs.

Wyss, an engineer and entrepreneur, earned his MBA from Harvard in 1965.

He said Tuesday he was humbled to be able to contribute to an effort he believes will change the course of science and medicine.

The institute will bring together experts from numerous disciplines, including robotics, biology and surgery. It will be located in a science complex being built in Boston's Allston neighborhood.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)