Geared Up
Campus collab accelerates biomedical engineering for UT System institutions
Heralding a new chapter in applied science and medicine, the new Texas Instruments Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Building at UT Southwestern Medical Center opened last fall. The facility’s first-time visitors toured spacious labs filled with scientists and engineers from UT Southwestern and UT Dallas, who are joining forces to make a difference in people’s lives.
The goal is simple: Create solutions to real-world patient problems.
Think lab-grown bone tissue grafted onto aging hips, nanotubes illuminating cancer cells for easier identification, or new wearable sensors continually monitoring a patient’s vital signs. Within the gleaming, high-tech labs of the 150,000-square-foot building, researchers from both institutions are collaborating on projects like these and more.
Leaders from the UT System, UT Southwestern, UT Dallas, and Texas Instruments celebrate the cutting of the ceremonial ribbon opening
the Texas Instruments Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Building on October 17, 2023. Mei-Chun Jau/UT Southwestern
Guests gather in the Lyda Hill Philanthropies Lobby during the building dedication on October 17, 2023. Mei-Chun Jau/UT Southwestern
Construction of the five-story building began in 2021 with a vision to marry the best minds at UT Dallas and UT Southwestern working across a range of engineering and medical science disciplines – all for the benefit of future patients.
“Innovations arising from the new building will fuel clinical advances in artificial intelligence, molecular imaging, robotics, biomechanics, and genetic engineering, while also helping to solidify North Texas’ reputation as a hub for biomedical innovation,” said Samuel Achilefu, Ph.D., Chair of UT Southwestern’s Department of Biomedical Engineering and Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Radiology, and in the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center.
With the latest 3D prototyping equipment and configurable spaces that accommodate a range of projects and equipment, the Bioengineering Design Center commands a central space on the ground floor of the Texas Instruments Biomedical Engineering increase collaboration, the space features windows running along its length to provide visibility to passersby. Jay Simon/UT Southwestern Medical Center
The building is designed with spaces to move ideas through prototyping and development with the goal of creating devices and materials that will make a difference. The fifth floor’s dedicated spaces welcome volunteers and trial participants to evaluate and test new devices, with the ultimate goal of clinical adoption and commercialization. Lower floors provide labs and support spaces for research and fabrication.
Researchers analyze samples in the new facility. Jay Simon/UT Southwestern Medical Center
Visitors touring the building’s spaces listen as researchers from both institutions share an overview of projects already in development. Mei-Chun Jau/UT Southwestern
About eight UT Southwestern faculty members and their research teams initially occupied the building, joining an equivalent number from UT Dallas. Those occupants are expected to double as operations ramp up throughout 2024.
According to Walter Akers, Ph.D., an Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at UT Southwestern who was involved in the building project, every floor is shared by both institutions. There are no separate spaces.
“The building was designed to promote a communal sense of mission. The stage has been set for spontaneous collaboration,” he said.
The facility's workspaces provide a range of environments to accommodate phases of the development process from idea to commercialization. Jay Simon/UT Southwestern Medical Center
Laboratory spaces throughout the building position research scientists alongside the development process, bringing their expertise to the creation of new biomedical materials and therapies. Jay Simon/UT Southwestern Medical Center
The $120 million project was supported in part by philanthropic gifts from Texas Instruments, Lyda Hill Philanthropies, and the Hillcrest Foundation, in addition to many other generous donors.
- Dr. Achilefu holds the Lyda Hill Distinguished University Chair in Biomedical Engineering.