UTSA Develops Biotech Research Facility

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) will partner with Brooks Air Force Base to create the UTSA Center for Excellence in Bioprocessing and Biotechnology. The center will provide vaccine-related research training to military and UTSA undergraduate and graduate students. UTSA is attempting to raise an additional $1.7 million to match $2.1 million in congressional funds to build the 8,0000-sf center, which will be housed in renovated space in Brooks Building 175. The biomedical training facility, slated to reach completion in fall 2003, may help the city to attract a $1.5-billion planned Department of Defense vaccine lab, the location of which has not yet been chosen. The lab would develop the nation's abilities to respond to a bioterrorism attack.