Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology
The Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB) is an interdisciplinary facility for genomics research at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The Institute was built in 2006 to centralize biotechnology research at the University of Illinois. Current research at the IGB explores the genomic bases of a wide range of phenomena, including the progression of cancer, the ecological impact of global change, tissue and organ growth, and the diversity of animal behavior.[1]
| Established | 2006 |
|---|---|
| Mission | To advance life sciences research and stimulate bioeconomic development. |
| Focus | Research in systems biology, cellular and metabolic engineering and genome technology. |
| Director | Gene E. Robinson |
| Address | 1206 W Gregory Drive |
| Location | Urbana , Illinois , United States of America |
| Website | http://www.igb.illinois.edu/ |
History
Construction
Plans for what would become the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB) were formed in the late 1990s. In 2000, $67.5 million was appropriated by the state of Illinois for its construction.[2] Due to economic hardships, the state halted plans for construction in 2001.[3] In 2002, funds were re-appropriated.[4] Construction began in April 2004 and was completed in November 2006. The building was dedicated in March 2007. Initially named the Institute for Genomic Biology, it officially changed its name to the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology in 2015 to honor the scientific contributions of Carl R. Woese.
Leadership
The IGB was initially led by Harris Lewin, then a professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois. Lewin served as the founding director until 2011, when he accepted the position of Research Vice Chancellor at University of California, Davis. Gene E. Robinson, a professor in the Entomology department, took over as Interim Director, and was named the new Director of IGB in January 2012.
Research
The IGB houses approximately 130 faculty and 600 graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research personnel. Research is organized into themes, they are reviewed every five years; new themes may be added or existing themes modified to reflect the current state of genomics research. Current themes are listed below:[5]
| Theme | Theme Leader | Description of Research |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer Discovery from Pets to People (ACPP) | Paul Hergenrother | Develops cancer treatments in pet animals that translate to human disease. |
| Biosystems Design (BSD) | Huimin Zhao | Applies engineering principles to real and artificial biological systems. |
| Center for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) | Andrew Leakey | Explores the origin of life and the behavior of biological systems. |
| Computing Genomes for Reproductive Health (CGRH) | (TBD) | Examines the interplay among genetic and environmental factors that influence disorders of reproduction. |
| Gene Networks in Neural and Developmental Biology (GNDP) | Lisa Stubbs | Examines the effects of coordinated gene activity on biological diversity. |
| Genomic Ecology of Global Change (GEGC) | Donald Ort | Studies the intersection of plant genomics and global climate change. |
| Infection Genomics for One Health (IGOH) | Rachel Whitaker | Examines how microbes in human-inhabited environments influence health and disease. |
| Microbiome Metabolic Engineering (MME) | Isaac Cann | Explores the relationships among human microbiota, environment, and health. |
| Mining Microbial Genomes (MMG) | William Metcalf | Discovers small molecules that might provide new medical solutions. |
| Omics Nanotechnology for Cancer Precision Medicine (ONC-PM) | Brian Cunningham | Develops new technology to identify and manage cancerous tumors. |
| Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering (RBTE) | Brendan Harley | Studies the replacement or regeneration of tissues and organs. |
| Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) | Evan DeLucia | Develops bioenergy crops, innovates efficient biomass transformation, transform biomass into valuable chemicals, and matches crops and bioproducts to regional ecosystems and markets. |
| Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI) | John Coates[lower-alpha 1] | Seeks to develop and improve sources of two major types of bioenergy—non-food crops and fossil-fuel microbiology—in part through investigation of the genomic specializations of the organisms involved in each. |
Notable awards and partnerships
In 2007, the University of Illinois, along with the University of California, formed a partnership with the energy company BP as part of a major research project to develop bioenergy sources. The University of Illinois facility is based in the IGB.[6]
In 2011, Abbott Nutrition and the University of Illinois collaborated to establish a research center for the study of the relationship between nutrition and cognition, entitled the Center for Nutrition, Learning, and Memory (CNLM). Several campus units are currently partners of CNLM, including the IGB.[7]
Building
The IGB is located on the south side of the University of Illinois main campus at Urbana-Champaign. The building was constructed by the architecture firm CUH2A (now a part of the architecture-engineering company HDR). The exterior of the building was designed to include elements of Georgian architecture.[8] Inside, each Research Theme has a large, open plan laboratory space and additional work rooms and office and meeting area.[1] The building stands adjacent to the Morrow Plots.
See also
Notes
- Professor of Microbiology at the University of California, Berkeley and Director of the Energy Biosciences Institute. Isaac Cann, a professor in the Department of Microbiology and Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois, is Deputy Director.
References
- "The Institute for Genomic Biology: Where science meets society". Retrieved 2013-06-10.
- "Governor expected to unveil $1 billion technology initiative". Associated Press Services. 2000-01-29.
- McDermott, Kevin (2001-11-28). "Ryan pares $219 million from Illinois budget". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
- "State gives U. of I. $123 million for tech buildings". Midwest Construction. December 2002.
- "Our Research | Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology". www.igb.illinois.edu. Retrieved 2021-11-14.
- Mercer, David (2007-02-01). "Two U.S. universities chosen by BP for partnership in alternative-fuels research". Associated Press Worldstream.
- des Garennes, Christine (2011-12-22). "University of Illinois, Abbott developing nutrition, cognition research center". The News-Gazette.
- "Award winning Institute for Genomic Biology designed by CUH2A opens at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign". Business Wire. 2007-04-18.