The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences recently announced the opening of more than 29,100 square feet of new laboratory space at University Research Park in Oklahoma City. The innovative facility represents an $11 million investment in OU’s strategic plan to become a top-tier research-driven academic health center.

“By strengthening our campus-wide research infrastructure with investment in new laboratory space, in parallel with advanced technology, we are ensuring that the University of Oklahoma academic health system continues to be at the forefront of scientific discovery,” said OU Health Sciences Senior Vice President and Provost Gary Raskob, Ph.D.

The space includes four large open-concept laboratories and 86 workstations, often called benches, to support as many as 144 scientists. There are dedicated areas for microscopy, cell culture, ultra-low temperature storage and specialized instrumentation. A conference room and collaboration areas are designed to foster interdisciplinary teamwork, teaching and mentoring.

The lab space is designed to support team science, which is quickly becoming the future of research.

“This new space reflects a modern approach to research, intentionally structured to bring together researchers, clinicians and students in a shared environment that accelerates discovery and its translation into real-world applications,” said OU Health Sciences Vice President for Research Darrin Akins, Ph.D.

Expanding research infrastructure is also an investment in people, said OU College of Medicine Executive Dean Ian Dunn, M.D., noting the college recently welcomed the founding chair of the new Department of Molecular Genetics and Genome Sciences.

“This facility will allow us to not only advance knowledge and accelerate the path to new therapeutics, but will it help us attract top-tier researchers, postdoctoral students and graduate students to Oklahoma, as well as retain our world-class faculty,” Dunn said. “This new space is an investment in our future.”

The facility is made possible by a $55 million bond, approved by the OU Board of Regents, to renovate and modernize 96,000 square feet of laboratory space across OU Health Sciences.

In fiscal year 2024, OU Health Sciences researchers earned over $217.5 million in sponsored awards, including $75.2 million from the National Institutes of Health. Last week, OU Health Sciences announced its new Blue Ridge Institute ranking of No. 102 in the nation for NIH funding, a rise of 20 spots from the previous federal fiscal year. This places OU Health Sciences among the top 3.6% of all 2,838 institutions and entities that receive NIH funding.