Special Research Centers

The Wistar Institute Cancer Center

In 1972, The Wistar Institute was named by the National Cancer Institute as one of the first group of federally designated Cancer Centers. Today, Wistar is one of only 8 NCI-designated Cancer Centers devoted solely to basic research. A major expansion of the Center was completed in 1975 with funding from the National Institutes of Health and additional private support.

Under the auspices of the Cancer Center, Wistar researchers are applying their knowledge of genetics and the immune system to advance our understanding of the causes of cancer. A number of Institute researchers are involved in clinical trials for new methods of cancer diagnosis and treatment based on their basic science observations.

Robert A. Fox Structural Biology Center

The Robert A. Fox Structural Biology Center was established in 1995 to support research into macromolecular structure and function. The Center is named for Robert A. Fox, President of Wistar's Board of Managers from 1984-1994, and the 1992 recipient of the first Wistar Award for his longstanding support of the Institute and its goals.

The Fox Center incorporates three laboratories. Construction of the Center was partially funded through a matching grant from the National Science Foundation Infrastructure Program.

Research conducted in the Fox Center contributes to scientists' understanding of cell cycle control and transcription. It also provides graduate students and postdoctoral fellows with an opportunity to train in the techniques of macromolecular structure analysis. In addition, the Fox Center hosts a weekly research meeting that is attended by the eight crystallographic research groups on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania.

Albert R. Taxin Brain Tumor Research Center

The Wistar Institute's Albert R. Taxin Brain Tumor Research Center honors the memory of Albert Taxin by providing Institute scientists with the resources they need to conduct brain tumor research. Initially, donations made possible the renovation of space for the Taxin Center, completed in early 1999. Today, they support ongoing research in what is the only brain tumor research center of its type in Pennsylvania.

Albert Taxin, for whom the Taxin Center is named, died in 1993 at age 53 of an incurable and inoperable brain tumor. An outpouring of philanthropic support in his memory led to construction of the Albert R. Taxin Brain Tumor Research, located on the Institute's third floor, opposite the Robert A. Fox Structural Biology Center. Fundraising efforts were led by his widow, Doris Taxin, honored in 1999 as only the second recipient of the Wistar Award.