The facility will provide laboratory, research and collaboration space for the Innovative Genomics Institute and Bakar Labs, supporting genome engineering research and companies moving from incubation into larger-scale operations. | Photo Credit: Weiss/Manfredi Architects, DGA
- UC Berkeley, the Innovative Genomics Institute,听Bakar听Labs听and Turner Construction听marked听the groundbreaking of the IGI-Bakar Labs building听on July 1.听
- The project will add laboratory,听research听and collaboration space for genomics researchers and emerging biotechnology companies.听
- The building is planned as a cornerstone of Berkeley鈥檚 Innovation Zone and will support CRISPR-based research and life science startups.听
- The July 1 announcement听identifies听Weiss/Manfredi as lead design architect and DGA as executive architect.
BERKELEY, Calif. 鈥斕齌he University of California,听Berkeley听(UC Berkeley)听has broken ground on the Innovative Genomics Institute-Bakar Labs building,听advancing a major life sciences project intended to connect academic research,听entrepreneurship听and biotechnology growth.听
The facility, designed by lead architect Weiss/Manfredi and executive architect DGA will provide laboratory, research and collaboration space for the Innovative Genomics Institute and Bakar Labs, supporting genome engineering research and companies moving from incubation into larger-scale operations.听
The groundbreaking brought together听builder听Turner听Construction as well as representatives from听UC Berkeley, the Innovative Genomics Institute, Bakar Labs,听project听partners,听researchers听and community leader听to celebrate the听significant milestone for one of the Bay Area鈥檚 major life sciences developments.听
鈥淭his groundbreaking is a celebration of partnership,鈥� said Manu Garg,听Project听Executive for Turner, according to听. 鈥淧rojects of this significance are only possible when owners, designers, builders, researchers, and community stakeholders come together around a common vision. We are honored to work alongside UC Berkeley, the Innovative Genomics Institute, Bakar Labs, and the entire project team to help create a facility that will empower the next generation of scientific breakthroughs.鈥�听
The building is expected to become part of Berkeley鈥檚 Innovation Zone and further strengthen the city鈥檚 role in biotechnology and climate-focused research. Turner said the project reflects years of planning and collaboration among UC Berkeley, IGI, Bakar Labs, philanthropic supporters, architects Weiss/Manfredi and DGA, engineers,听consultants听and construction partners.听
When complete, the new building will support IGI鈥檚 genomics research and Bakar Labs鈥� network of emerging biotechnology companies. Turner said the facility will expand capacity for CRISPR-based research while creating infrastructure for life science startups moving from early-stage incubation to growth.听
鈥淭his is a pivotal moment for genome engineering around the world, and the IGI and UC Berkeley are at the leading edge,鈥� said Jennifer Doudna, founder of IGI and Nobel laureate, according to听. 鈥淭his new building is an exciting opportunity to grow the longtime partnership between the IGI and Bakar Labs, and to show the power of combining impact-driven research and entrepreneurship in one space.鈥�听
For Berkeley, Turner said the project听represents听an investment in innovation, economic听development听and opportunity by creating space where researchers, entrepreneurs and emerging biotech companies can collaborate in听close proximity.听
Turner said the facility is intended to help discoveries made in Berkeley continue to grow and scale within the city. The groundbreaking marks the start of construction on a project positioned to support scientists, entrepreneurs and innovators working on research and technologies with broad potential impact.听