Kimmel Cancer Center Offers Facilities And Resources To Displaced New Orleans Cancer Researchers

San Diego/New Orleans: Administrators, scientists and staff at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center would like to express their deepest sympathy to all those affected by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. As a result of the hurricane, critical cancer research that was underway in the New Orleans area has come to a halt along with all the other functions in the city.

It is estimated that more than 250 National Institute for Health (NIH) - funded projects in the affected areas are now at risk of discontinuation (please refer to National Institute of Health web site announcements).

The long-term affects of Katrina will impact the lives of researchers at all levels including professors, post-doctoral fellows, research scientists, graduate students and lab staff. It also ultimately hinders the progress of important research, thereby affecting everyone who can benefit from this work. In response, the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (SKCC) in San Diego is extending an open invitation of assistance by offering lab space for those labs (PIs and staff) displaced by these events.

SKCC has room within several labs as well as space that can be generated through consolidation. Approximately 5,000 square feet is immediately available and additional space should be available in the organization’s new building expected to open at the end of year. The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center is located in the center of the extensive biomedical research community in San Diego. It is equipped with all standard research equipment and also has a wide variety of specific facilities/cores. More information can be found on the SKCC website located at www.skcc.org.

SKCC has several labs focused on vascular biology, genomics, proteomics, endothelial cell biology, immunology, cell biology, and molecular imaging - in cancer research and beyond. At this time SKCC can accommodate at least 3-4 labs with approximately 12 members each.

Faculty, post-docs, graduate students and staff are all welcome. If we can help, please contact the Scientific Director Jan E. Schnitzer, M.D. via e-mail at jschnitzer@skcc.org. Or call (858)-450-5990 in San Diego and ask for CEO Dr. Albert Deisseroth.

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