Washington University Invests $235 Million to Construct Translational BioMedical Institute

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Reported by Annette Kreuger, Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--An 11-story, 700,000 square-foot research tower is rising on the campus of Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. The project, known as the BJC Institute of Health, is sourced out of the University's BioMed 21 program and has been in various stages of planning and construction dating back to 2003 (Source: Industrial Info Resources' Pharmaceutical Tracker - Online Database). Expected to be complete by December of this year, the $235 million institute will serve to fulfill the BioMed initiative to speed up the entire "bench to bedside" process of scientific discovery.

Even good science is just that until it is translated into a practical application for patient use. This process is known as translational research. Hoping to circumvent what can traditionally be a decade or longer, the BJC institute will bring together researchers and scientists from multiple fields to work together. The Barnes-Jewish Hospital will have a presence within the building, including clinical laboratories -- which could eventually supply the last step of essential research in the form of actual patient participation.

Cannon Design (St. Louis) designed the institute, which is seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. The first through the fifth floors will be left as flexible shell space for Barnes-Jewish Hospital to develop in the future. Floors seven through 10 will house five specific interdisciplinary research centers. These centers will target research in cancer genomics, diabetic cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration, women's infectious disease research and membrane excitability disorders. Additional space is allotted for the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pathology and Immunology.

The entire philosophy of the building's design is to facilitate teamwork and interaction. In order to encourage brainstorming and dialogue, all labs are "open" with no walls, and the conference rooms and breakout areas will be shared. Flexibility was the keyword in lab design, with easily moved cabinetry and equipment in order to quickly accommodate new technology and study.

The SM Wilson and Company (St. Louis) is the project's construction manager. Following last December's topping-out ceremony of the final piece of structural steel, the institute is expected to be complete this December.

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