U. breaks ground on research center

Officials broke ground Wednesday for the first of four buildings designated for technology and interdisciplinary research at the University of Utah campus.

The $130 million James L. Sorenson Molecular Biotechnology Building, a Utah Science Technology and Research initiative innovation center, is being funded by a $100 million commitment from the state of Utah, along with private donations. It aims to be a LEED gold-certified building upon completion.

USTAR is a long-term economic development initiative with a charge to promote Utah-based technologies and research that can be commercialized. The 200,000-square-foot U. facility will support 25 senior faculty researchers, plus junior faculty, administrative and laboratory personnel in a number of lab and research spaces, including four specialty core research facilities for small animal imaging, biomedical microscopy, engineering microscopy and nano-fabrication.

The high-tech facility will reduce both energy use and energy costs from current laboratory code by a minimum of 40 percent, using natural light and sunshades to monitor such light.