The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation today formally dedicated a $15 million genetic research facility that will be among the finest of its kind in the world.
The Donald W. Reynolds Center for Genetic Research will provide scientists with cutting edge technologies to advance understanding of DNA, factors involved in the regulation of gene expression, and human disease.
“There is now a large-scale genetic research facility in Oklahoma for the development and study of genetically engineered mice,” said OMRF President Dr. J. Donald Capra. “OMRF’s old facility could not keep up with the demand from scientists whose research into disease-related issues focuses on the mouse, nor did it have the array of advanced technological features that will take that research to higher levels.
“A lead gift of $5 million from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation made possible the construction of a new facility that is equal to or better than comparable facilities anywhere,” he said.
Virtually every area of modern biomedical research requires genetically engineered animals. These living test tubes are fundamental to current biomedical research and could yield potential cures for a myriad of health threats such as heart disease, cancer, genetic disorders or immune malfunctions.
“OMRF is grateful to the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation for its vision and generosity,” said OMRF Board Chairman Len Cason. “In keeping with the world-class work being conducted by OMRF scientists, we now have a cutting-edge genetic research center to compliment and assist their important mission.”
The new 13,000 square foot facility was constructed as an additional floor atop the William H. Bell Building. Another portion of the project allowed for the construction of new and renovated laboratory space in the Bell Building.
Mice are genetically very similar to humans. For every 100 human genes, 97 or more have counterparts in the mouse.
Most basic genetic research involves the observation of how things function normally. Once the normal function of a system or organism is known, scientists begin to study various alterations in the process, which result in diseases or disorders.
When these changes occur naturally, the resulting effect on the organism is a disease, defect or other malfunction. Scientists cannot postpone their studies while waiting for these changes to occur in nature, so through technological advances, they now have the ability to design specific, desired changes in the laboratory though genetic engineering.
Because mice can easily be genetically manipulated, researchers can actually reproduce human diseases in these small creatures. Thus these mice play a powerful role in the study of human diseases and the future of biomedical research.
Because this genetic technology enables scientists to zero in on specific disease targets, it yields a much higher probability of finding cures for human diseases and disorders of all kinds.
The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation is a national philanthropic organization founded in 1954 by the late media entrepreneur for whom it is named. Mr. Reynolds was the founder and principal owner of the Donrey Media Group, which he started in 1940 with the purchase of the Okmulgee Daily Times and the Southwest Times Record in Fort Smith, Ark.
At the time of his death in 1993, his organization had grown to include 52 daily newspapers, 10 outdoor advertising companies, five cable television companies and one television station. The sale of the Donrey Media Group in 1993 provided for the Foundation’s endowment, making it one of the largest private foundations in the United States. It is headquartered in Las Vegas.
