Introduction
The Don Moore GM Center is a multidisciplinary research and educational facility located on the campus of the State University of North Dakota. Named after alumnus and philanthropist Donald E. Moore, the center was established to provide state‑of‑the‑art infrastructure for genetics and molecular biology studies. It serves as a hub for faculty, graduate students, and industry partners working on genomics, bioinformatics, and related fields. The building’s design emphasizes flexibility, sustainability, and collaboration, reflecting contemporary trends in scientific research environments.
Since its opening in 2005, the Don Moore GM Center has attracted national funding for large‑scale projects, including the Genomic Innovations Initiative and the Northern Genomics Consortium. The center’s mission statement states that it "supports innovative research that advances human health, agriculture, and environmental stewardship, while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and high‑quality education."
The center has played a significant role in positioning the State University of North Dakota as a leader in genomics research. Its laboratories are equipped with next‑generation sequencing platforms, high‑throughput screening systems, and advanced bioinformatics resources. In addition to research, the center offers training programs for undergraduates, postdoctoral scholars, and visiting researchers, promoting the development of expertise in genomic technologies.
History and Background
Origins
Planning for the Don Moore GM Center began in the early 1990s, when faculty at the university identified a gap in the region’s research infrastructure for genetics and molecular biology. Discussions with state officials and private donors highlighted the need for a dedicated facility that could attract top talent and secure competitive funding. Donald E. Moore, a 1967 graduate of the university and successful entrepreneur in the biotechnology sector, expressed interest in supporting a center that would focus on genomic research.
In 1998, a joint task force was created to develop a master plan for the center. The task force included university administrators, faculty scientists, representatives from the state government, and Moore himself. The plan envisioned a 75,000‑square‑foot building with modular laboratories, a core facilities hub, and shared spaces for collaborative meetings.
Construction and Design
Construction commenced in 2002 after the university secured a $35 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and a matching contribution from Don Moore’s foundation. The architectural firm Green‑Stone Architects, known for its work on research facilities, was selected to design the building. The design emphasized a clean, modern aesthetic with an emphasis on natural light and open workspaces to facilitate collaboration.
Key design features included a central atrium that serves as a gathering space for researchers, a flexible laboratory block that can be reconfigured in response to evolving research needs, and state‑of‑the‑art biosafety level 2 and 3 laboratories. The center also incorporates a dedicated bioinformatics and data analytics wing, reflecting the increasing importance of computational methods in genomics.
During construction, the project faced several challenges. The site’s soil conditions required extensive geotechnical remediation, and local environmental regulations mandated that the building incorporate significant green space. Engineers employed innovative foundation techniques, including deep piles and a drainage system that captures stormwater for reuse in the building’s greywater network.
Renovations
In 2015, the center underwent a significant renovation to expand its sequencing capabilities. The addition of a next‑generation sequencing suite included a PacBio Sequel II system, Illumina NovaSeq platforms, and a dedicated data storage cluster. The expansion required upgrading the building’s electrical and cooling systems to support the increased power demand.
Architecture and Facilities
Design Principles
The architectural concept for the Don Moore GM Center was guided by four core principles: flexibility, sustainability, collaboration, and safety. Flexibility was achieved through modular lab units with interchangeable wall systems, allowing laboratories to be reconfigured in response to changing research priorities. Sustainability was embedded through the use of high‑efficiency HVAC systems, solar panels on the roof, and the incorporation of native landscaping to reduce heat island effects.
Collaboration was facilitated by the design of shared spaces, including an open‑concept atrium, a series of seminar rooms with adaptable seating arrangements, and a central lounge area equipped with high‑speed Wi‑Fi. Safety protocols were integrated into the building’s design, with dedicated biohazard containment zones, an emergency decontamination station, and a centralized security monitoring system that controls access to restricted areas.
Key Features
- Laboratory Blocks: Five laboratory blocks each spanning approximately 12,000 square feet. Each block contains flexible workstations, integrated fume hoods, and dedicated areas for high‑throughput screening.
- Core Facilities: A central core facilities area houses shared equipment such as ultracentrifuges, liquid handling robots, and cryogenic storage systems. This area operates on a user‑based scheduling system to maximize equipment utilization.
- Sequencing Wing: Dedicated to next‑generation sequencing platforms, including Illumina and PacBio instruments. The wing is designed to meet biosafety level 2 requirements, with controlled access and environmental monitoring.
- Bioinformatics Hub: Houses high‑performance computing clusters and data storage solutions. The hub supports data analysis pipelines for genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics.
- Educational Spaces: Two lecture halls with capacities of 200 and 400 seats respectively, and an interdisciplinary workshop area equipped with projection and video‑recording capabilities.
Environmental Sustainability
The Don Moore GM Center was designed to exceed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification standards. Key sustainability features include:
- Energy‑efficient HVAC systems that use variable speed drives and heat recovery ventilators.
- Solar photovoltaic panels covering 30% of the roof area, supplying approximately 15% of the building’s annual electricity consumption.
- A rainwater harvesting system that collects runoff from the roof, which is filtered and used for irrigation of the surrounding landscaped gardens.
- Use of low‑emission building materials, such as recycled steel and sustainably sourced timber for interior finishes.
- A building management system that monitors indoor air quality, temperature, and humidity in real time, ensuring optimal conditions for both occupants and sensitive biological samples.
Additionally, the building’s orientation and façade design reduce solar heat gain, thereby minimizing the load on the cooling system. Natural daylight is maximized through the use of skylights and reflective surfaces, reducing the need for artificial lighting during daytime hours.
Academic and Research Programs
Departments
Within the university, the Don Moore GM Center hosts three primary departments: the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, the Department of Bioinformatics, and the Department of Agricultural Sciences. Each department utilizes the center’s facilities for both teaching and research purposes.
Collaborations
The center has forged collaborations with national and international partners. Key partnerships include the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Northern Research Station, the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), and the University of Minnesota’s Institute for Genomic Medicine. These collaborations facilitate data sharing, joint grant applications, and cross‑institutional training opportunities.
Notable Projects
One of the most prominent research initiatives conducted at the center is the Genomic Innovations Initiative (GII). Launched in 2007, GII focuses on identifying genetic variants associated with crop resilience to climate change. The project has generated over 200 peer‑reviewed publications and led to the development of drought‑tolerant wheat varieties currently in field trials across the Midwest.
Another significant project is the Northern Genomics Consortium, a multi‑institutional effort that aims to create a comprehensive genomic database for species native to the Great Plains. By sequencing genomes of over 1,200 organisms, the consortium provides insights into adaptation mechanisms and informs conservation strategies.
In the biomedical domain, researchers at the center have contributed to the Human Microbiome Project, characterizing the microbiome of indigenous populations in the region. The findings have implications for understanding disease susceptibility and personalized medicine.
Administration and Governance
Leadership
The Don Moore GM Center is overseen by a Director, appointed by the university’s provost. The current Director, Dr. Maria López, has served since 2014 and brings expertise in comparative genomics and high‑throughput sequencing. The center’s governance structure includes an advisory board composed of university faculty, industry representatives, and members of the Don Moore Foundation.
Funding
Funding for the center derives from a mix of sources: federal grants, private philanthropy, and internal university allocations. Federal support includes grants from the NIH, NSF, and USDA. Private contributions primarily come from the Don Moore Foundation, which provides matching funds for research projects and scholarships for graduate students. Internal funding supports infrastructure maintenance, core facility operations, and administrative personnel.
In 2019, the center secured a $12 million multi‑year grant from the NSF to establish the Genomic Data Science Initiative, aimed at developing new algorithms for large‑scale sequence analysis. This funding has enabled the recruitment of postdoctoral fellows and the expansion of the bioinformatics hub.
Community Impact and Outreach
Public Programs
The Don Moore GM Center hosts a series of public outreach events aimed at demystifying genomic science. Annual events include a "Genomics Day," featuring interactive exhibits and workshops for K‑12 students, and a "Science & Society" lecture series that addresses ethical, legal, and social implications of genomics research.
Collaborations with local high schools have led to the development of a summer genomics internship program. The program offers high school students the opportunity to work alongside faculty in the center’s laboratories, fostering interest in STEM fields.
Educational Partnerships
The center maintains a partnership with the North Dakota State College of Science, offering joint research opportunities for associate and bachelor's degree students. Through these partnerships, students gain hands‑on experience with cutting‑edge technologies and contribute to ongoing research projects.
Graduate students at the university often engage in interdisciplinary research through the Center’s “Integrated Research Program,” which pairs them with faculty from different departments. This program emphasizes collaborative project design, grant writing, and scientific communication.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in the history of the Don Moore GM Center include:
- 2004: Completion of the design phase and awarding of the construction contract.
- 2005: Official opening ceremony attended by state officials and university faculty.
- 2007: Launch of the Genomic Innovations Initiative.
- 2010: Receipt of the first NIH award for a multi‑institutional genomics consortium.
- 2015: Expansion of the sequencing wing to include high‑throughput platforms.
- 2019: Award of an NSF grant for the Genomic Data Science Initiative.
- 2021: The center’s core facilities achieved a 90% utilization rate, reflecting the high demand for shared equipment.
- 2023: Launch of a new bioinformatics summer bootcamp for undergraduates.
These events illustrate the center’s continuous evolution and its role as a catalyst for scientific advancement in the region.
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