The Microbial Sciences Building (MSB) is the cornerstone of a larger initiative to ensure the
continued preeminence of microbiology at UW-Madison through creation of an international center of
excellence and unification of the large community of microbiologists. The creative design of the
MSB will provide the infrastructure for a center of excellence in microbiology recognized for its
outstanding academic and research programs. The MSB will be home to the
Departments of Bacteriology
,
Food Microbiology & Toxicology
(Food Research Institute), both in the
College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
, and
Medical Microbiology & Immunology
in the
Medical School
. Programs headquartered in the MSB will include the
Microbial Doctoral Training Program
, ranked first among public universities, the N.I.H.-funded
Biotechnology Predoctoral Training Program
, the largest in the United States, the NIH-funded
Microbial Pathogenesis and Host Responses Training Program
, and all educational programs in microbiology.
Future advances in human and animal health, agriculture, food safety, biotechnology, restoration
and preservation of the environment and understanding fundamental life processes will require the
very best scientists who approach research in novel, non-traditional ways. UW-Madison is uniquely
positioned to make these next generation advances: the research expertise covers the broad expanse
of microbiology, the quality of the faculty and the rigor of the training programs are unsurpassed
and the external research funding is vast.
Some MSB researchers study infectious diseases including emerging pathogens, sexually transmitted
organisms, food-borne diseases, parasites, fungal and viral pathogens and bio-defense strategies.
Understanding what makes a microbe a pathogen and how the host defends against infectious agents
will lead to new strategies and therapies for fighting microbial pathogens.
Other researchers study the amazing abilities of microbes to produce alternative energy sources,
mitigate global climate change, improve water quality, clean up environmental pollutants and serve
as biological control agents in agriculture. Many programs study metabolic pathways, genetic
systems, communication networks and regulatory mechanisms of microbes. Understanding these
biological processes will enable scientists to develop "magic bullet" drugs, antibiotics,
vaccines, specialty chemicals, natural products such as flavorings, and other economically useful
products. Another goal is to "engineer" microbes
to perform special tasks such as converting sunlight or waste materials into useful products like
hydrogen or biodegradable plastics, inactivating environmental toxins, or reducing the level of
greenhouse gases in the environment.
The MSB is a $120.5 million, 330,000 gross square feet building. It was designed to provide an
inviting, stimulating work environment with world-class research and instructional facilities.
A nexus between the building occupants and the larger campus community is provided by the first
floor with its welcoming public areas, suites of administrative offices and an exciting discovery
center. The discovery center is a place where people of all ages can experience first hand the
facinating world of microbiology. In addition the first floor houses highly sophisticated
classrooms and a 450 seat symposium center for hosting local to international seminars,
conferences, and symposia. The second floor is devoted to modern instructional laboratories
including a fermentations facility, several specialized instrumentation and computational rooms,
and a classroom devoted to molecular modeling. At the heart of the second floor is a spacious
atrium that serves as a breakout space for scientific posters and receptions during
symposia and as the "main street" for student activities. A cafe, with indoor and outdoor
seating, is part of this atrium area.
Research laboratories with adjacent comprehensive support facilities occupy floors 3-6. The research floors have been organized as 5 neighborhoods to encourage more human scale interaction within the large floor plate. The combined forty-seven research suites from the three different departments will be co-mingled in these neighborhoods to promote interactions among scientists with different perspectives.
The open, spacious research suites include support spaces for specialized needs such as BSL-3 labs,
microscopy, tissue culture, flow cytometry, crystallography, food
pathogen testing and specialized instrumentation. Several laboratories have been programmed for
translational research and visiting scientists. Two innovative undergraduate instructional
laboratories are integrated into the research floors for self-directed experimental learning.
The research laboratories are designed to be flexible and readily adaptable to accommodate changing
research activities. Interaction spaces, circulation patterns, meeting and lunch rooms, core
research facilities
and other common spaces have been placed strategically to encourage collegial interactions and
resultant synergy. An inviting atrium brings the neighborhoods together by serving as the central
hub in the building.
The MSB is funded through the Biostar program of the State of Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin , Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) and gifts and grants. The architects are Anshen+Allen (Los Angeles CA) and Plunkett Raysich Associates (Milwaukee WI). Construction began in late 2004 with occupancy scheduled for early 2007. The primary contractors are C. D. Smith (general), Hooper Corporation (plumbing), Monona Plumbing and Fire Protection (fire protection), Town & Country (electrical), and North American Mechanical (HVAC)
Additional Outside Views
For more information, please contact:
Professor. Glenn H. Chambliss
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Department of Bacteriology
420 Henry Mall
Madison, WI 53706
608-262-2914
Fax: 608-262-9865
To make a donation, please contact:
Andrea Engebretson
Director of Development
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
University of Wisconsin Foundation
TEL: 608.263.0852 FAX:608.263.0781