i n n o vat i o n a n d c o l l a b o r at i o n
Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research
wisconsin institutes for medical research 1111 Highland Avenue Madison, WI 53705-2275 MS-20033-08
wi s c o n s i n i n s t i t u t e s f o r m e d i c a l r e s e a r c h
The Vision
Dynamic Spaces
The Wisconsin Institutes for Medical
“Work that takes place in this building
production of short-lived imaging
Research (WIMR) embrace a new way
will translate into every nook and
agents and computerized chemical
of doing science. With the opening of
cranny of the state, embodying the
synthesis. Complete facilities are
the East Tower, the traditional research
Wisconsin Idea,” said Robert Golden,
provided for the development of
silos are broken, as basic, translational
MD, dean of the School of Medicine
state-of-the-art, three-dimensional
and clinical scientists—in cancer,
and Public Health.
radiation oncology.
imaging and surgery—work together to
• First Floor/Basement, Center
quickly move discoveries from bench to
WIMR will allow the School, which
Tower: One of the nation’s largest
bedside and into the community.
represents the largest component
rodent and primate vivaria in a
of the University’s research funding
modern, pathogen-free and secure
WIMR was born more than a decade
base, to place its researchers in highly
animal care facility.
ago and forged through multiple work
interactive spaces designed to cultivate
groups, drawing from the creativity
collaboration and interaction.
and inspiration of campus-wide faculty
Beyond Science • The Healing Garden: A serene
and staff and partners from outside the
The East Tower, with floors the length of
space filled with planters and
University. The School of Medicine and
a football field, eliminates laboratory
benches is tucked between WIMR,
Public Health (SMPH) proposed a center
walls, places office areas close to
the HSLC and Hospital; a second
to encourage scientific collaboration,
labs, allows rapid sharing of complex
quiet space is north of the Boxer
to combine clinical and basic research
equipment and facilities, and includes
Connector, the passageway that
talents to tackle medicine’s most
interaction space on every floor.
connects the three buildings.
perplexing and significant questions.
Alternate floors are also joined by two-story atriums to further enhance
The soaring, eight-floor East Tower is
communication and collaboration.
the first of WIMR’s three interdisciplinary research towers that will grow to also
East Tower Research
house cardiovascular, neuroscience
• Seventh floor: Prostate cancer
and regenerative medicine research. Adjacent to UW Hospital and Clinics and the American Family Children’s Hospital, WIMR scientists can easily interact with clinicians and are within sight of the patients whose lives they hope to improve. Neighbor to the Basic science research in areas such as cancer and heart disease (CONFIRM HOW LI PHOTO FITS WITH THIS CAPTION) will be translated into patient care.
as well as a 30-ton cyclotron for
Health Sciences Learning Center (HSLC), the schools of Pharmacy and Nursing and the Waisman Center, WIMR also paves the way for rich connections among all those who hope to improve the health and well-being of Wisconsin’s people.
• Sixth floor: Breast cancer • Fifth Floor: Surgery, orthopedic surgery, pharmacology • Fourth Floor: Hematologic and pediatric oncology • Third Floor: Lung and other cancers • Second Floor: Core Laboratory Resources • First Floor/Lower Level: Advanced Imaging and Radiation The lower level, with walls and ceilings more than eight feet thick, is designed to be vibration free. Equipment includes every imaging modality for human and animal research at the molecular level,
• “strings”: Cliff Garten’s atrium sculpture is suspended 76-vertical feet through the middle of the building. With twisting spirals of aluminum plates, Garten connects art to string theory and investigations being pursued at genetic and atomic levels. • The entrance wall: Seven stories tall, the sail-like wall is studded with metallic sparkle strips, and a subtle linear grid representing tomotherapy (which was invented in the SMPH) is embedded in the glass panels.
With Sincere Thanks Many partners have come together to make this project possible, including the
Researchers work in open laboratories, exchanging ideas and forming new collaborations.
How The Wisconsin Institutes For Medical Research Was Built • 1993: The Campus Planning
visionary component of HealthStar is designed to bring research and clinical scientists together to work across disciplines and move basic
Committee approves an Integrated
discoveries more quickly from lab to
Health Sciences Complex on the west
bedside and into the community.
end of campus. • 1997: The School of Medicine and Public Health launches the HealthStar Initiative, a state-federal-private
• 2005: Construction begins on the East Tower, the first of three towers in the WIMR complex. • 2008: The East Tower opens with
consortium to build state-of-the-art
231,000 assignable square feet for
health facilities and support medical
cancer and surgery research and
research. Governor Tommy Thompson
imaging and radiation science.
signs a state budget bill authorizing
“The Wisconsin Institutes for Medical
HealthStar.
Research meshes perfectly with
• 2004: The Board of Regents approves
efforts to ensure that the University
National Institutes of Health ($18 million),
construction of a $133.9 million
remains at the absolute forefront
GE ($15 million), the Oscar Rennebohm
interdisciplinary research center.
of medical research,” Governor Jim
Foundation ($15 million), and many other
It becomes the East Tower of the
Doyle said.
generous individual, foundation and
Wisconsin Institutes for Medical
corporate donors.
Research (WIMR), adjacent to the
the Wisconsin Institutes for Medical
UW Hospital and Clinics and the new
Research are complete.
Health Sciences Learning Center and the School of Pharmacy’s Rennebohm Hall. The most
• 2012: The Center and West Towers of