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Biotechnology isn't at the forefront of Arkansas' most prominent exports - the Razorbacks and Wal-Mart sit safely atop their respective perches. But a look back at the biotech advancements made at Arkansas research universities in 2009 suggests biotechnology soon could be challenging Hog calls and discount prices as the state's No. 1 brand.

Some significant biotech movement was made at the state's leading research universities: The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.

Examples include research scientists at UAMS and UALR revealing what they called a breakthrough in cancer treatment involving the use of carbon nanotubes to detect and target tumors, researchers at Fayetteville and UAMS announcing they had developed a special contrast-imaging agent capable of mapping lymphatic cells and detecting cancer metastasis in lymph nodes, and the UA board of trustees approving bonds to help fund construction of a new $9 million nanotechnology center at UALR.

Here's a look back at those some of the highlights:  

January

The Springdale Technology Park opened with homegrown firm Duralor as its first occupant. Duralor is a spin-off of NanoMech, a UA startup that produces nano-based coating for medical implants, among other uses.

The Statewide Conference on Nanotechnology in Health Care was held at the UA's Winthrop Rockefeller Institute on Petit Jean Mountain, bringing together the state's leading biotech researchers to share ideas.

UA researchers announced they had demonstrated that magnetic nanotubes can be exploited to treat neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, because they can be used as a delivery vehicle for the nerve-growth factor.

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