New research centre aims to solve diseases

The Institute of Comparative and Experimental Medicine (ICEM) is a new collaboration between Texas Tech University and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

“This is a major new effort that will bring new world-class, funded researchers to both universities,” said John McGlone, director of the new institute and professor of animal science. “The institute also will create new opportunities for collaboration among our current faculty. This represents a major investment in the future of both institutions.”

Each campus will hire three scientists who presently have external funding for their research. Texas Tech is providing space for the new institute in the Experimental Sciences Building, a facility designed for collaborative research projects.

“One of the goals of the institute is to increase research funding and productivity at Texas Tech and the Health Sciences Center,” said Douglas Stocco, executive vice president for research at the Center. “It will also give us centralised laboratory facilities that should improve the collaboration already going on across the campuses and encourage new joint projects.”
The first efforts of the ICEM scientists will focus on infectious diseases such as avian influenza. Institute officials hope these projects will draw more funding from federal granting agencies such as the National Institutes of Health.

“Infectious diseases present some of the most urgent challenges facing human and animal health,” said Dean Smith, vice president for research at Texas Tech.