Jan. 26, 2007

Minnesota Partnership Dedicates Three-Story Genomics Facility
Concrete proof of Mayo-University collaborative success

ROCHESTER, Minn. — A comprehensive genomics research facility will be dedicated today at the Vincent Stabile Building in downtown Rochester in a ceremony with Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The three-story addition to the building includes genomic laboratories, facilities for bioinformatics, and teleconference and meeting rooms that will support ongoing research by the Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics. Completed on time and on budget at the end of 2006, the building project is the result of a $21.7 million bonding issue approved by the Minnesota Legislature. The University of Minnesota purchased on Dec. 14, 2006, the 12th and 13th floor Partnership research space in the Stabile Building and immediately leased it back to Mayo Clinic for the purposes of the Partnership.

“This facility offers Minnesota Partnership researchers the laboratory support and technology needed to speed research aimed at major diseases affecting the people of the state,” said Glenn Forbes, M.D., CEO of Mayo Clinic Rochester. “It is a concrete representation of how the Partnership is literally bringing together the research strengths of each of our institutions.”

The Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics is a unique collaborative venture among the Mayo Clinic, University of Minnesota and State of Minnesota. The Partnership seeks to position Minnesota as a world leader in biotechnology and medical genomics applications that will result in important new medical discoveries, thereby improving health care for patients and supporting the development of new business and jobs in Minnesota.

“The Partnership is just one of the bold state initiatives to advance biosciences and keeps Minnesota research feeding this very important industry,” said Frank Cerra M.D., Senior Vice President for Health Sciences, University of Minnesota. “The kind of space we are providing to researchers in the Stabile Building will help us to attract top talent and research dollars for the Partnership. It will serve as a catalyst for other bioscience development in Minnesota.” Drs. Cerra and Forbes provide leadership for the Minnesota Partnership.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty is scheduled to speak at today’s dedication ceremony, along with Drs. Cerra and Forbes. Tours of the facility are also planned for the three floors, which will house approximately 300 researchers.

One of the many strengths of the Partnership is the sharing of technology and expertise between Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota, making the most of investments and avoiding any duplication of equipment or effort. Current research funded by the Partnership includes projects on anti-cancer drug development, heart disease, pancreatic cancer, neuromuscular diseases, autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection, drug addiction and tuberculosis. The Partnership’s operational funding comes from the bipartisan support of the Minnesota Legislature.

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The Minnesota Partnership is a collaborative research initiative among Mayo Clinic, the University of Minnesota and the State of Minnesota, dedicated to advancing health and improving the economy.

Contact:

Robert Nellis
507-284-5005 (day)
507-284-2511 (evenings)
newsbureau@mayo.edu

Sara Buss
612-624-2449