University of Iowa dedicates new biomedical research facility

IOWA CITY - Five years after philanthropists John and Mary Pappajohn committed $26.4 million to the creation of a massive hub for biomedical research on the University of Iowa campus, the 256,000-square-foot facility on Wednesday was celebrated and dedicated bearing the name of its largest donors.

The $126 million John and Mary Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building will house 'high-risk, high-reward” research related to diabetes, deafness and brain science, along with diseases affecting the heart and lungs, according to UI officials.

Researchers have been conducting some work in the building for months, but Wednesday marked it's official dedication, which included a tour of its six floors and appearances by John and Mary Pappajohn, state legislators, and members of the Board of Regents.

'This building reflects not only the spirit of their investment but John and Mary's life,” said Board of Regents President Bruce Rastetter.

Sen. Bob Dvorsky, D-Coralville, called the facility one of the most exciting things he's been a part of during his time with the legislators. And UI President Sally Mason called Wednesday's dedication a 'momentous day for the University of Iowa.”

Mason talked about the high-quality architecture of the facility and its environmentally-friendly qualities. But she said its most impressive for the research it will enable.

'This will change lives both here in the State of Iowa and certainly well beyond,” Mason said.

In addition to the Pappajohn donation, the state provided initial funding of $30 million. The facility will house the Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, the Francois M. Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center, the UI Neurosciences Institute, the UI Auditory Research Program, the UI Lung Biology Center, and the Iowa Institute for Biomedical Imaging.

The imaging institute will include a 7 Tesla MRI scanner, one of only about 20 powerful imaging tools in the nation capable of providing the clearest pictures of microstructures and biological processes that drive the human body and brain.