The University of
Cincinnati's new institute for genome research is located in 360,000 square
feet of lab and office space formerly occupied by Aventis Pharmaceuticals
in nearby Reading, Ohio. The gift, estimated at $100 million to replace,
is the largest single donation ever received by UC. Renovations are now
under way to adapt laboratories for academic research and to update information
technology and environmental systems to university levels.
"We've identified a core of people who are going out there,"
institute director David Millhorn reports, "and there is opportunity
for others who have research that is within our four identified focus
areas: oncology (cancer); cardiovascular-pulmonary (heart, lung disease);
endocrinology (diabetes, obesity) and development; and neuroscience (Parkinson's,
Alzheimer's).
"We hope to have 50-60 investigators and their staffs, which probably
translates into 400 individuals. A good bit of the space will be for new
recruitment."
What kind of investigators will be recruited? "Only the most outstanding
people," the director quips.
"Seriously, we are going to identify the very best people we can,
convince them that this is the best place for them, and have them come
here to enhance the research programs we already have, which are good.
We'll be recruiting against the best institutions in the country."
Millhorn emphasizes that all researchers will be expected to use genomic
approaches in their work, because the university wants to develop "a
very powerful infrastructure" using this approach. "We think
this is the future of doing biology," he confirms.
Scientific exploration at the institute will bring economic as well as
medical benefits to the Cincinnati region, because many of the investigators
will be interested in starting biotechnology companies based on their
discoveries. There is precedent for this among university faculty in other
parts of the U.S.
Millhorn hopes to interest UC alumni in helping him recruit top scientists
for the institute. His dream would be to obtain endowments for up to 10
professorships. For details, he can be reached at (513) 558-5636.
"Our commitment is to make this institute world class. Nothing less,"
Millhorn says. "And that's my job."
See related story: Putting genes to work
