
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, August 10, 1993                   TAG: 9308100541
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

CONGRESS OKS BIOTECHNOLOGY CENTER FOR TECH

Congress has approved a $1.419 million funding request giving Virginia Tech enough money to build a Biotechnology Center that has been in the works for more than three years, it was announced Monday.

"The Biotechnology Center will enable Virginia Tech to remain in the forefront of research efforts for one of the nation's most important industries," said Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon.

The funding measure approved last week brings the total federal contribution to the $8.5 million project to $4.359 million. The federal money will be coupled with $4.123 million of state money included in the bond referendum approved last year.

Construction on the center, to be named after longtime benefactor Horace Fralin, will begin later this year and is expected to be completed before the 1995 fall semester.

"This is a very significant day in the life of the university," said Larry Hincker, director of university relations.

The 44,325-square-foot building, to be built adjacent to Engel Hall on West Campus Drive, will have 17 research labs that will be used for DNA manipulation, cloning, protein sequencing and bioengineering. There also will be instructional labs and a 100-seat auditorium.

Virginia Tech has more than 70 faculty, 150 graduate and about 300 undergraduate students working on research related to biotechnology. Since 1990, public and private contracts and grants have generated $21 million in research funding to the university.

"The completion of this facility will further allow us to expand our teaching, research and outreach mission to the state and nation," said Virginia Tech President James McComas.

The president also praised Boucher's efforts in helping Tech secure funds for the center.

"This building wouldn't be a reality without his tenacious efforts," he said.

Tracy Wilkins, a professor of anaerobic microbiology, said the new building will allow Tech to conduct its biotechnology research - now done in 16 academic departments - under one roof.

Biotechnology has great commercial significance, Boucher said at Monday's news conference.

"In the decades ahead, it will assist virtually every American family," he said. "It will put people to work. It will save people's lives. It will make an enormous contribution to our nation's balance of trade."

by CNB