“If you build it, they will come.” That’s a classic line from the movie Field of Dreams. It’s also the inspiration behind the construction of the 205,000-square-foot Kansas Life Sciences Innovation Center, which opened its doors earlier this year at 39th and Rainbow at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

The strategy was simple:
Raise $57.2 million in public and private money to construct a stateof- the-art research facility that will attract talented scientists from the region, the country and the world; make the five-story building visually attractive; design it to suit the collaborative nature of life sciences research; and provide flexibility so that a wide range of studies can occur simultaneously.

U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, a strong advocate for life sciences research, put together the public portion of the financial package underwriting the building. The Hall Family Foundation focused its $27 million contribution on providing the facility with the latest equipment.

The Kansas Life Sciences Innovation Center is now home to 273 scientists. Some work in teams looking into genetic and environmental factors influencing liver function. Others will focus on reproductive sciences, neurological sciences, diabetes and proteomics, the study of proteins that make up the human body.

The interior design of the building, which fosters communication among different researchers and teams, is one of the Center’s best features. Investigators have opportunities to share equipment in common areas, which cuts down on expensive duplication as well as encouraging collegiality. A world-class view of downtown Kansas City from enormous windows in every lab is also a perk for these researchers who might spend 80-plus hours in the lab each week.

“The life sciences require an interdisciplinary approach, the kind that’s fostered by the laboratories and conference rooms in this facility,” notes KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway. Hopes are high that this combination of a top-quality physical plant and a concentration of major-league researchers will create the crucial synergy that can lead to important scientific discoveries. These innovations may help cure cancer, brain disorders and other debilitating illnesses.

In the meantime, the state-of-the-art Center will be the ideal place for scientists to put their talents to work for the benefit of future patients – and enjoy what they’re doing. That’s great chemistry. +