In the battle to beat deadly diseases, local research teams got their booster shot Wednesday in the form of an unprecedented partnership between three of the area's biomedical leaders. Our Solomon Syed has more on the new alliance and grant money that may help find a cure.

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ALBANY, N.Y. -- Researchers from Albany Medical Center, RPI and UAlbany announced Wednesday they will come together to form the new Capital Region Research Alliance. The new partnership will have their studies backed by a $745,000 grant from the state's economic development council initiative.

"Three significant institutions in this region have come together for the first time and said, 'We're not going to compete anymore, we're going to collaborate'," said James Barba, Albany Medical Center President.

Between them, a total of 10 teams of researchers will receive $250,000 for Alzheimer's diagnosis and treatment, $100,000 for colon and prostate cancer prevention, $85,000 to develop regenerative tissue and another $310,000 for cutting-edge surgical and healing techniques.

"These diseases were chosen as the focal areas because they're important diseases, they affect many people, they've been resistant to solutions," said Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, RPI President.

Scientists who will receive some of the grant money believe it will help bring them together in the fight to find cures.

"Most of my projects to date have focused on Vitamin D and breast cancer, but this project extends those to colon cancer, and how Vitamin D might supress colon cancer," said Dr. Joellen Welsh, professor at UAlbany's Cancer Research Center.

"It will really bring together two different areas of research expertise and hopefully make a significant impact," said Dr. Timothy Sellati, Associate Professor at the Albany Medical College.

Officials diagnose the impact lasting well into the future, as breakthroughs attract even greater investment.

"This is seed funding because it's meant to get started and to use it to bring in more federal and private funding," said Dr. Jackson.