On Feb. 10 the AT&T Foundation announced that it will make a $1 million contribution to Saint Louis University’s new Biomedical Research Building. “We are pleased to be a principal investor in a project that will use the latest technology to help Saint Louis University bring advances in medicine to many people,” said president of AT&T Missouri Cynthia J. Brinkley in a University press release. The $67-million Research Building, located at the corner of Grand Boulevard and Chouteau Avenue, will house biomedical research in SLU’s Health Sciences Center in five main areas: cancer, aging and brain disease, heart and lung disease, liver disease, and biodefense/vaccine development. “SLU’s new Biomedical Research Building means new jobs in St. Louis and helps us continue the revitalization of midtown,” said St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay. “This gift from AT&T is an important step in revitalizing that goal.” In honor of this gift, the eighth floor of this 10-story building in midtown St. Louis will be named after AT&T. On this floor, Robert Belshe, M.D., will establish the Center for Vaccine Development research group in a Biosafety Level Three Laboratory suite. This zone will allow scientists to work safely with viruses, bacteria and fungal agents as well as substances that could potentially cause fatal diseases. The Center for Vaccine Development is one of only seven U.S. “vaccine Treatment and Evaluation Units” that are funded by the National institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The recently initiated avian flu vaccine study in SLU’s center is one in a series of other basic and clinical studies conducted on new vaccines in the center. “We are proud to have AT&T as a partner in the construction of this world-class facility,” University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J., said in a press release. The addition of this building to the University’s existing laboratories will allow SLU to utilize the newest technology in scientific research. Construction commenced in spring 2005 and is expected to finish in fall 2007.