13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |IU dedicates new research lab in downtown Indianapolis

IU dedicates new research lab in downtown Indianapolis

The $83.3 million Joseph Walther Hall with its 118 new labs is next to Riley Hospital, and connects two other research buildings, essentially creating a 500,000-square-foot facility spanning a city block.

Once of the biggest challenges in medical research is getting the discoveries made in the lab out into the world of clinical medicine at hospitals, essentially in the form of real treatments for patients. This new research facility helps make that transition easier by placing scientists, Ph.Ds, and doctors together, right next door to a number of hospitals, for an easier exchange of ideas and delivery of patient care.

"As a clinician, I can treat one person at a time. As a scientist, a physician scientist, one discovery can treat tens of thousands of patients at a time, and that's really the driving point of research," said Dr. David Wilkes, IU School of Medicine.

It's a major addition to a growing bio-medical research complex made up of about a dozen research buildings on the IU Medical Center Campus.

One of the key measures of a medical school's status is its research enterprise and the number of grant dollars funding the operation. IU is making a run at ranking in the country's top 20 research centers. But expansion is not only good for the status of the school of medicine. It's good for patients.

"They're looking for the best opportunities and where is the best care going to be provided, and who is doing the cutting edge medical therapies. And so when you're able to use a facility such as this for new discoveries, in essence creating new knowledge you can apply in the clinic, it serves our patients, it increases our reputation, and gives ourselves a name that allows us to compete with other institutions in the country," said Dr. Wilkes.

Primary areas of research are: cancer, immune systems disorders such as diabetes, arthritis and transplant issues, neuroscience, including Alzheimer's, brain injury, pain and addiction and environmental health.

This is just a slice of the big picture. Plans are already in the works for expanding research and building more facilities here on the IU Medical Center Campus, which is expected to increase status worldwide.

Walther Hall was paid for by bonds, foundation grants, the National Institutes of Health and the IU School of Medicine.

The official dedication will take place at 10:00 am with Mayor Ballard, IU President Michael McRobbie, the Dean of the IU School of Medicine, and several others attending.