Frequently Asked Questions: Infrastructure

Will the partnership require physical space?

Not immediately. That said, its clear that added research space will be needed. The Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics continues to assess ways to accommodate laboratory and other space needs on the Mayo Clinic campus in Rochester.

The U campus has built at least two new buildings in the last few years and is breaking ground on yet another, the Translational Research Facility. Why do you still need more space?

Research space at the University is at maximum capacity. New buildings have helped improve the overall quality of space; they have not improved the overall quantity of space relative to the volume of research at the University. In short, while collaborative research will take place in University research facilities, the University cannot accommodate additional research capacity needs of the partnership.

So you need space in Rochester: Will the partnership own the building?

Space needs and financing options are still under consideration. It's clear that in order for the state to issue bonds for the construction of any infrastructure needs of the partnership, that bonding will need to be controlled by a public entity, such as the University.

How much in bonding will be required for this partnership facility?

Again, that is not clear, and will not be determined until the space needs are further assessed on Mayo Clinic's campus.