April 29, 2002

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Moving to expand its research capacity, the University of Alabama at Birmingham today broke ground for a new interdisciplinary biomedical research building. The 12-story, 340,000 square-foot building is integral to UAB’s efforts to help lift the School of Medicine to a top-10 ranking in funding from the National Institutes of Health by 2010. The School is ranked 16th this year. The university will name the building the Richard C. and Annette N. Shelby Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Building.

“This building represents the bright future of UAB and its contribution to the economic development and growth of Birmingham and Alabama,” said UAB President W. Ann Reynolds. “When completed, it will enable UAB through the work of fine researchers to enable healthier lives.

“We’re enormously grateful to Senator Shelby, Governor Don Siegelman, the Alabama Legislature, the Jefferson County Commission and the City of Birmingham for their belief in this project and their generous support.”

Senator Richard Shelby helped UAB garner $27.5 million toward the $90 million cost of constructing the building. He has pledged to continue his efforts to support this project in the future. The State of Alabama has pledged $25 million and the City of Birmingham and Jefferson County each have pledged $5 million toward its construction.

“The partnership among all the groups who will benefit from this project demonstrates how important UAB and its research program is to all of us,” said Sen. Shelby. “The research that will be conducted in this building will have the potential to change people’s lives. The fact that this work will take place in our state is something all of us can take pride in. I am so pleased that I have been able to provide some measure of support to something that will have such an impact for the people of Alabama and beyond.”

When completed, UAB estimates that the new building will enable it to attract about $100 million annually in new research funding and will lead to at least 1,400 new jobs. UAB will receive over $360 million in research funding this year.

Three research programs are slated for the building:

• Autoimmunity and Immunobiology. Diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes are exceedingly common. They are associated with high rates of morbidity and disability, and enormous economic burden. The advent of the genomics area offers researchers new opportunities to tackle these sorts of disorders, all of which are associated with immune system dysfunction.
• The Brain Initiative will enhance understanding of the brain’s adaptive response to injury or disease. Brain diseases and injuries, including behavioral disorders, spinal injuries, brain tumors and neurodegenerative diseases, account for a greater portion of personal suffering and direct and indirect economic cost than any other set of afflictions in Alabama, and nationwide. UAB is committed to becoming one of the top five institutions in the United States in this important area of public health.
• Biomedical Engineering and Bone Matrix Research. Diseases that affect millions of patients are impacted by research in this area; they include osteoporosis, all forms of joint diseases, and complications of diabetes and hypertension. The goal of this program is to improve outcomes for patients who need implant devices such as hip and knee replacement.

The Richard C. and Annette N. Shelby Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Building is scheduled to be completed in 2004.