The University of Nebraska Board of Regents Saturday approved a proposal
to establish a Center for Human Molecular Genetics at the University of
Nebraska Medical Center in an effort to bring together basic scientists
and clinicians campus-wide in a single, unified genetics program.
The center will be housed in newly completed research space in the Munroe-Meyer
Institute on the UNMC campus. It will be directed by Richard Finnell, Ph.D.,
who joined UNMC earlier this year as a professor in the Department of Cell
Biology and Anatomy and the Department of Pediatrics in the College of
Medicine. Prior to coming to UNMC, Dr. Finnell worked eight years at the
Texas College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University in College
Station, serving as acting associate dean for research and professor of
genetics, toxicology and neuroscience.
The center will involve faculty from many departments, colleges and
institutes and will create a focal point for collaborative research efforts.
Approximately 15 faculty have expressed an interest in participating in
center activities. No new state funding will be sought to support the center.
“The Center for Human Molecular Genetics will provide a true translational
research opportunity,” Dr. Finnell said, “since clinicians and bench scientists
will be working together under the same roof. It also will serve as a focus
for collaboration with other University of Nebraska campuses.”
Dr. Finnell said some of the key goals of the center will be:
–to develop a comprehensive genetics research program for the mapping
and functional analysis of potential genes for complex human disorders,
including selected cancers;
— to work toward establishing a new, highly integrated graduate program
in molecular genetics;
— and to build a program that would facilitate the analysis and development
of potential drugs and create additional revenue streams into UNMC.
The Center for Human Molecular Genetics will play a key role in allowing
UNMC to become a world-class medical center, said Harold M. Maurer, M.D.,
UNMC chancellor.
“Since hiring Dr. Finnell earlier this year, we have already been able
to recruit several outstanding genetic researchers,” Dr. Maurer said. “I’m
thrilled with what’s happening with our genetics program, and the Center
for Human Molecular Genetics is going to be the driving force in moving
us forward.
“We’ve set a goal of doubling our research funding in the next five
years. With the addition of these new scientists to our existing faculty
strengths in the genetics area, I’m confident that we will be generating
many more research dollars in the future. This is exciting news which should
pay tremendous dividends for the entire state over the long term.”
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state.
Through its commitment to research, education, outreach and patient care,
UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading centers for
cancer research and treatment and solid organ transplantation. More than
$34 million in research grants and contracts are awarded to UNMC scientists
annually. In addition, UNMC’s educational programs are responsible for
training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other
institution.