NYU Prepares to Break Ground on New Science Building

In the last several years, NYU has become an internationally renowned leader in the field of genomics, a rapidly evolving area that holds the potential to have a far-reaching impact on the environment, food sustainability, and human health. A state-of-the-art new Science Building located at 12-16 Waverly Place, scheduled to open in March 2010, will allow NYU to remain at the forefront of genomics research while training students to be the next generation of innovators in this exciting field.

The 62,000 square foot Science Building will be the new home to the NYU Center for Genomics and Systems Biology. The building will provide innovative facilities for both professors and students alike. The core of the building will be seven floors of “open plan” laboratories and meeting spaces designed to foster collaboration. The building will be crowned by a rooftop greenhouse, essential for furthering research on crops such as corn and rice. The existing façade of the building will remain intact to maintain the architectural spirit of Greenwich Village, providing a unique opportunity to build a modern structure within an historic context.

While previously scientists sought to unlock the mysteries of DNA by examining only one gene at a time, the rapidly expanding field of genomics seeks to uncover the complex interactions between genes in various organisms while also studying the evolution of whole genomes.

Seven biology professors and two mathematics and computer science professors have recently left their former institutions in order to be a part of the Genomics Center at NYU. Once additional space is made available in the new Science Building, seven more professors are slated to join the team.

“NYU has invested a lot in hiring the right people, but I think the space is ultimately what can limit us,” says Gloria Coruzzi, who is the Carol and Milton Petrie professor of biology and chair of the biology department. “The new space will allow us to continue to grow and have an open environment that promotes collaboration among scientists.”

The work of NYU’s genomics researchers is already paying dividends. Associate Professor Fabio Piano, who concentrates his research on the worm C. elegans, has found a number of counterpoints in their networks that are similar to humans. Piano’s lab is identifying the mechanistic causes of complex diseases like cancer and embryonic and developmental abnormalities. With genetic understanding of these complex processes comes greater hope for eventual cures.

“The professors and students affiliated with the Center for Genomics and Systems Biology are making extraordinary contributions that will not only advance knowledge, but improve lives,” said NYU President John Sexton. “Once they have access to the cutting-edge facilities of the Science Building, the sky will be the limit in terms of what they can achieve.”

To learn more about genomics research at NYU or to make a gift in support of the Science Building, contact Paul Mouravieff at (212) 998-6944 or paul.mouravieff@nyu.edu.

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