Mass. will conduct life sciences study

The state and a major life sciences industry group will conduct a $250,000 study to find ways to broaden its biotech work force.

Massachusetts' newly-created Life Sciences Center and the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council will fund the study, to be known as the Life Sciences Talent Initiative, and to be conducted by the UMass Donahue Institute.

The state's Life Sciences Center was created in 2006 to help promote the industry.

Goals of the study include the creation of an analysis of specific employment needs for the industry and how easily the state's higher education system can respond to those needs.

A focus will also be placed on developing recommendations for government, industry and higher education to fill any gaps in training.