SIU Med School Awards Contracts for Cancer Labs

Five construction contracts for development of two cancer research laboratories at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine were approved by the SIU Board of Trustees at their meeting on September 8 in Edwardsville. The project and budget of $700,000 was previously approved by the Board at its April meeting.

The contracts are for development of the two additional labs in the upper level of the medical school’s laboratory research facility at 911 N. Rutledge in Springfield. The new labs will be in space adjacent to eight existing cancer research labs that have been constructed over the last several years. The facility houses various laboratories, including those for the SIU Cancer Institute.

The general construction work has been awarded to United Construction, Inc., Springfield, for $142,000. Heating and air conditioning work will be done by R. J. Power Plumbing and Heating, Inc., Springfield, for $397, 346. The plumbing work has been awarded to Prairie State Plumbing and Heating, Inc., Petersburg, for $43,685. Electrical work will be completed by Harney Electric, Inc., Loami, for $41,400. Fire protection work will be done by E. L. Pruitt, Inc., Springfield, for $3,580. The project is being financed through federal grants funds and is expected to be completed in 2006.

The SIU Cancer Institute completed a major recruitment in June for an associate director for basic science with the hiring of a National Cancer Institute-funded cancer researcher from M.D. Anderson Cancer Center -- Subhas Chakrabarty, Ph.D. His duties include development of a complete cancer research team for the SIU Cancer Institute. He also will continue his research in colon cancer, using one of the new labs.

The SIU Cancer Institute is focusing the medical school’s efforts in cancer research, physician and public education, and treatment for patients from across central and southern Illinois.

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