The University of Chicago: Szostak Lab Buildout

Located on the north end of the 2nd floor in Searle Chemistry Laboratory, Nobel Laureate Jack Szostak’s lab supports the University’s new interdisciplinary Origins of Life Initiative. The initiative aims to understand the earliest forms and cycles of life on earth and elsewhere. Serving as construction manager for the gut renovation and buildout, B&A converted 6,300 sq.ft. of office space into wet lab space, support labs, student seating and office space.

Professor Szostak’s research focuses on the Origins of Life and attempting to recapitulate the steps that led to the self-assembly of the first living cells. His group’s findings have helped scientists to map the location of genes in mammals and to develop techniques for manipulating genes. Their work has been instrumental to the Human Genome Project. Professor Szostak was awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine, along with Elizabeth Blackburn and Carol W. Greider, for the discovery of how chromosomes are protected by telomeres.