The Systems Biotech Building: Overview

Advances in molecular biology are leading to an explosion of new information that is redefining our understanding of life at the molecular level. Based on these advances, the University of Colorado (CU) is taking bold steps to build the visionary, interdisciplinary educational and research environment needed to achieve breakthrough contributions in fields such as engineering human tissues, developing new pharmaceuticals based on RNA enzymes and aptamers, biorefining for renewable fuels and chemicals, and understanding the genetic basis for numerous diseases. This synergistic linkage of the basic sciences, engineering, clinical practice, and industry in this exciting, high-impact field of systems biotechnology will lead to revolutionary advancements for improving human lives.

The plan is a bold one: build a new research and teaching facility in CU's Research Park, for long-term growth of CU-Boulder's leading efforts in systems biotechnology and its supporting departments. The Systems Biotechnology Building is visionary: a facility that contributes to the Front Range of Colorado becoming a national powerhouse in the emerging disciplines of genomics and molecular biotechnology. This building will be a flagship facility, anchoring a new vision for expansion of CU-Boulder's campus.

The building design includes research labs that will facilitate interdisciplinary research, graduate and undergraduate training, and collaboration with corporate partners. It will house the faculty, students, and staff in three major units: the Biochemistry Division of the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department, and the Colorado Initiative in Molecular Biotechnology (CIMB). The building includes teaching laboratories and classrooms to support current and new interdisciplinary degree programs, and meeting and communication facilities that will help bridge the physical distances between this new building and the main CU-Boulder campus, as well as foster relationships between the university and industry. Creating opportunities to work together will be a key design goal of the building, promoting "research at the boundaries" of existing disciplines.

The facility will feature highly efficient and flexible lab designs supported by state-of-the-art technology, built around the concept of interdisciplinary research and collaboration. It will draw programs together and offer undergraduate students the opportunity to work side-by-side with internationally recognized faculty and research teams. The building will also have a strong education thrust and includes an auditorium for large conferences, as well as smaller seminar rooms, classrooms, computer labs, and teaching labs. Other building amenities, such as open meeting areas, a café, and conference rooms organized around an interior "main street" concept, will enable it to become a crossroads of creativity for students, faculty, and industry.

The total programmed size of the building is over 150,000 assignable square feet, with a total gross square footage of over 260,000. The building will support 60 faculty and over 600 researchers. The total project cost is projected to be $113 million, with building occupancy scheduled for late 2009. The resulting program will dramatically enhance CU's position as a leader in Colorado for systems biotechnology, the applied biological science to improve society and human well being.

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