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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.
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