On April 20th UCLA celebrated the grand reopening of the Jules Stein Building after a $65M renovation. This building connects to the Doris Stein Building and the Edie & Lew Wasserman Building to make up the UCLA Stein Eye Institute. Combined, the three buildings provide nearly 300,000 square feet of functional space with over 20 specially equipped laboratories to support vision science investigations.
Of the new state-of-the-art facility, Chancellor Gene Block was quoted as saying, “Today, the institute really is a vision-science campus.”
(Image of UCLA Stein Eye Institute courtesy of UCLA Newsroom)
The same article of the UCLA Newsroom regarding the 50th anniversary of the Stein Eye Institute, goes on to reveal the incredible growth of the institute. Ophthalmic surgeries have gone from 1,827 in 1969 to 19,000 in 2016. The number of patients to visit the department has increased ten fold, going from 23,000 in 1969 to 230,000 in 2016. Built in 1966 the interior of the Jules Stein facility has been completely reconfigured and expanded to meet 21st century needs.
The goal of the project is to accommodate the increasing demand while continuing to provide exemplary treatment to those with eye disease. This was the final phase of construction project within Stein Plaza. The state-of-the art surgical center, the Edie and Lew Wasserman Building opened in 2014. UCLA plans to become the leading eye care, vision research and education center of our times.
Features of the newly renovated Jules Stein Building Include:
- New modular laboratories, which can expand and contract as needed
- Modern wet labs with direct ventilation and specialized piped utilities such as water and various gases so that chemicals or other materials, including biological matter, can be handled in liquid solutions or in volatile phases.
- A redesigned comprehensive ophthalmology and glaucoma area
- New examination rooms
- A new, separate urgent care unit
“More space allows us to create revolutionary, new programs in treating eye disease, using techniques such as stem cells, gene therapy and even ‘big data,’ to help us gain a 360-degree view of a patient’s health problems, leading to new findings, novel treatment plans and more accurate diagnosis,” stated Dr. Bartly Mondino, director of the UCLA Stein Eye Institute for the past 23 years. Dr. Mondino is also chairman of the department of ophthalmology at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine.
The funding for the 108,000 square-foot medical building project was provided in large part by gifts from donors. “I am constantly moved by the deep and really visionary generosity of Stein Eye supporters,” said Dr. Kelsey Martin, dean of the David Geffen School of Medicine, at the reopening ceremony. In the institute’s latest annual report 45 donations of over $25,000 were listed.
The Stein Eye Institute is just one part of the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and the UCLA Health System. The school of medicine has 729 medical students, 1136 Graduate Medical Education residents and fellows, 466 Biomedical Sciences Doctoral students,106 M.D.- PhD. students in the Medical Scientist Training Program, 455 Post-Doctoral trainees and 3,248 full-time faculty.
Lab equipment suppliers meet with UCLA researchers at Bioresearch Product Faire:
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On Thursday, October 26, 2017 Biotechnology Calendar, Inc. will host the 40th Semiannual biotech trade show. Those interested in increasing their lab product sales should plan on displaying their products at this premiere UCLA vender show. More than 400 life scientists are expected to attend. Last year, researchers came from 46 different research buildings and 80 on-campus departments.
To learn more about participating as an exhibitor at this popular event, call (530) 272-6675 or visit the link below:
Science professionals are invited to attend for free. This is a great opportunity to see the latest in laboratory equipment as well as general lab supplies. Click the link below to for more information and to preregister.
