Fighting Malaria
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FALL 2012 CHINA BANGLADESH Fighting MYANMAR LAOS Malaria Researchers home in on genes causing malaria drug resistance, critical VIETNAM THAILAND information as resistance spreads in S.E. Asia CAMBODIA PAGE 6 INSIDE: MALAYSIA Groundbreaking starts work on Texas Biomed’s Earl Slick Building PAGE 3 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT DEAR FRIENDS, WHILE I RECEIVE MANY POSITIVE COMMENTS ABOUT TEXAS BIOMED, I AM SOMETIMES ASKED JUST WHAT ARE THE SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISH- MENTS ACHIEVED BY THIS ORGANIZATION THAT HAVE CHANGED, OR ARE CHANGING, THE COURSE OF MEDICAL CARE. IT IS A FAIR QUESTION — AFTER ALL, OUR MISSION IS TO “IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY THROUGH INNOVATIVE BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH.” THE NEW BUILDING IS... Briefly looking back, I consider just some of the n Advances in vaccine development against “ major accomplishments to include: filoviruses such as Ebola and Marburg, potential ABOUT INCREASING bioterrorist weapons as well as the causative n Development of the baboon as a model of heart agents of lethal diseases in certain parts of the OUR...CAPACITY and circulatory diseases, an extremely important to advance which has played a key role in the fifty developing world; percent decline since 1960 in mortality caused n The development of an animal model for non- impact public by these common and deadly illnesses; alcoholic fatty liver disease, a condition affecting . THE EARL up to 15 million Americans, an important step in health n Invention of the high frequency ventilator and SLICK BUILDING ALLOWS proving the efficacy of artificial surfactants, each addressing the most prevalent liver illness in the of which has contributed to reducing the death United States; and US TO RECRUIT NEW rate of significantly premature infants; n A disturbing discovery that people in Western Thailand may be developing resistance to the FACULTY WHO WILL n Demonstration of the safety and efficacy of the hepatitis B vaccine, now used across the globe, most common drug against malaria, portending help us find and participation in the development of new, a possible international increase in the number and far less toxic, treatments for hepatitis C; and of deaths caused by this major killer. However, the same research group has identified a region answers to a n Creation of SOLAR, a novel software for human of the malaria parasite genome associated with variety of life- genetic analysis, which is used internationally by this drug resistance, thereby raising hope that 5,000 researchers and is helping to usher in a there will soon be effective molecular markers threatening and life- new era of personalized medicine. for monitoring the spread of resistance. The future, however, belongs to those who stay altering conditions ” As Texas Biomed constructs its new laboratory and ahead of their fields, who have the courage to scientific support facility, the Earl Slick Building, challenge established dogma and who are not the value of this institution to the health of the afraid to aggressively pursue the most complex world cannot be over-estimated. Its contributions biological and pathological mysteries. Current to basic and translational science open the door research at Texas Biomed which likely will to new approaches to disease management, translate into better preventatives, diagnostics and both here and abroad. The new building is not treatments — perhaps even cures — includes: about growth for the sake of growth, but about n Genetic analysis of the causation for depression, increasing our capacity to impact public a profoundly important public health problem health. The Earl Slick Building allows us to that affects one in five adults in the United recruit new faculty who will help us find States, which may lead to a definitive diagnostic answers to a variety of life-threatening tool and new therapies; and life-altering conditions. 2 • TEXAS BIOMED PROGRESS » FALL 2012 Phyllis Slick Cowell, daughter of Earl Slick, and her family at the groundbreaking on May 24. From left, John Cowell, Phyllis Slick Cowell, Maile Cowell, Lynn Ives, Jane Ives, Allen Ives and Michelle Cowell. We can do more…we should and we will. You are giving us the tools to do just that. Thank you for sharing our vision for a healthier future and a Texas Biomed Starts New Laboratory more stable and secure planet. and Office Complex; Announces Public Sincerely, Phase of Capital Campaign exas Biomed’s new 70,000 square-foot laboratory and office complex will be named Kenneth P. Trevett, J.D. the Earl Slick Building, to honor the brother of Tom Slick, who played a critical role T in the development of Texas Biomed during his lifetime and whose generosity, and that of his family, continues to positively impact the organization. Groundbreaking occurred on May 24 for the new facility which is part of a campus master plan that includes a major effort to recruit more world-class scientists, enhance existing research programs and initiate new ones to accelerate the pace of discovery at Texas Biomed. “A transformational expansion of the Texas Biomed campus will soon become a reality,” said J.R. Hurd, chair of Texas Biomed’s board of trustees. “Thanks to the work of our architects — Lake Flato and FKP Architects — our new laboratory complex will make a compelling statement about the vision and energy of our institution. As our research programs blossom and grow, it reaffirms we are on the right track to improving human health worldwide.” Having raised some $30 million in gifts during the previous 18 months, Texas Biomed also announced the public phase of a capital campaign to raise another $11 million by the time of Continued on page 4 The new, $25 million Earl Slick Building will be the largest in the history of the Institute, provide an attractive “front door” for Texas Biomed and represent the public face of the campus. TEXAS BIOMED PROGRESS » FALL 2012 • 3 George C. Hixon, a former Texas Biomed board of trustees chair, at the wheel of the front loader at the groundbreaking. Continued from page 3 building’s shape, orientation, and systems also SNAPSHOT: work together integrally to reduce overall energy the completion of the laboratory building in early Project: 70,000 square foot campus expansion use. Current projections show the new structure 2014. “Time and time again, our supporters — Cost: $25 million will operate at 20 percent better efficiency our family if you will — have provided the life Features: The laboratory and office building than current building codes require. This energy blood that is so critical to our success,” said John will consist of 15 research laboratories, shared instrument rooms for these laboratories, and efficiency — combined with other environmentally Kerr, campaign co-chair. “While we have achieved equipment and service space. The complex also appropriate decisions with respect to the site this first goal in the quiet phase of our campaign, will consolidate researchers and laboratories now housed in multiple buildings around the design, water consumption, building materials and the support of our trustees and lead donors campus and will substantially increase efficiency indoor environmental quality — has the project speaks loudly.” of research through shared staff and equipment. tracking to achieve certification from the U.S. To enhance existing programs and start new ones, Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and The laboratory and office building will consist the plan is for a total of six new faculty members Environmental Design rating system. for the Genetics Department and Virology and of 15 research laboratories, shared instrument The designers of the building are Lake Flato Immunology Department. A new director and a rooms for these laboratories, and equipment and Architects of San Antonio and FKP Architects of junior faculty member also will be recruited for service space. The complex also will consolidate Houston. The construction manager is the Southwest National Primate Research Center researchers and laboratories now housed in Vaughn Construction. (SNPRC). The goal of these recruitments will be to multiple buildings around the campus and will promote the translation of discoveries into substantially increase efficiency of research The Earl Slick Building is part of a campus master medical applications. through shared staff and equipment. plan which envisions projects that will address needs far into the future — as much as 25 years Texas Biomed also plans to develop a regenerative In addition, the building will provide space — a significant planning horizon, considering the medicine program to advance the effort to replace for a number of nationally prominent visiting blistering pace of innovation in science. dead or dying tissue in people with a variety of scientists who will collaborate with Texas Biomed conditions and illnesses. This effort, which will researchers. And, it will serve as a visible focal The plan includes support infrastructure — involve recruiting two additional researchers, will point for the SNPRC, one of only eight such engineering, energy, utilities, communications, and include collaborations with other investigators and centers in the United States and the only one transportation — and provides more open, green, research institutions in San Antonio. in the Southwest. and pedestrian-friendly spaces. It will result in a rearrangement of the campus, with a new entrance The new, $25 million Earl Slick Building will be The design of the new headquarters honors the and new courtyard and common areas that will the largest in the history of the Institute, provide Slick legacy and adds a new level of detail and make Texas Biomed a more aesthetically pleasing an attractive “front door” for Texas Biomed artistry to the campus with its use of tilt-wall place to work and visit. and represent the public face of the campus. construction for the new building’s facades. The 4 • TEXAS BIOMED PROGRESS » FALL 2012 Research Institutions Join Forces To Develop Vaccines TEXAS BIOMED AND THREE OF SAN ANTONIO’S OTHER LARGE Research Incentive Program, a state fund that provides a 50 percent match for private gifts of up to $1 million to emerging research universities RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS HAVE JOINED FORCES TO DEVELOP such as UTSA.