MISSION ? The real work surrounding the Kansas Bioscience Authority begins today.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Wednesday headlined a reception and news conference at ScriptPro, a pharmaceutical equipment company, to introduce members of the authority board and rally supporters around the biotech cause.

Today, a Senate committee will meet at 10:30 a.m. at the Sheraton Hotel in Overland Park to confirm the nine members of the authority board. The board, with members from across the country, then will hold a meeting to adopt bylaws and review its mission.

“We’re really ready to roll up our sleeves,” Sebelius said.

The Bioscience Authority is the result of the Kansas Economic Growth Act, approved by the 2004 Kansas Legislature and signed into law by Sebelius. The act will use tax dollars generated by growth in the life sciences industry to fund enhancements to university research and business development. It is expected to generate more than $500 million in the next 10 years.

Administrators have said possible benefits at Kansas University included new faculty and research facilities.

The nine members, appointed by Sebelius, the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corp. and legislative leaders, are joined by nonvoting members Robert Hemenway, Kansas University chancellor, and Jon Wefald, Kansas State University president.

Members who attended Wednesday’s event weren’t ready to offer opinions on whether the authority should issue bonds to pay for projects or spend money as it is generated, or when money could first arrive on campuses.

“I think we’re very early; we’ve just been appointed,” said Clay Blair, an appointee from Overland Park. “It takes a little time to understand the vision of the legislation.”

Stephen O’Connor, a member from Pasadena, Calif., said he had turned down many offers to be on similar boards throughout the country but accepted the Kansas appointment because of the system developed here.

“I haven’t seen any political agenda in it, other than just to get this done,” O’Connor said. “This region has pretty much all the things you need to succeed in the life sciences.”