The Jacobs Institute will create revolutionary methodologies for the diagnosis and treatment of human disease through innovative research and collaboration between Caltech and the world's top experts in the field of medicine. This new institute will facilitate seamless interaction among leading institutions pursuing biomedical research and clinical applications. The goal is use molecular engineering to invent the next generation of medicines and medical devices, thus advancing the future of medical science.
The initial $10 million gift to support the Jacobs Institute was donated by the late Joseph J. Jacobs. "Joe was a visionary in the field of chemical engineering," said David Baltimore, Caltech president. "He was a forward-thinking man whose work was well respected in the scientific community. This generous gift will allow Caltech to further pursue vital, cutting-edge research in molecular engineering. It is a legacy befitting his extraordinary accomplishments. I am delighted that David Tirrell, the Ross McCollum-William H. Corcoran Professor and chair of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Caltech, will serve as the inaugural director of the Jacobs Institute at Caltech."
"The future of medical science is integrally connected to increasing understanding of the molecular basis of disease," said Baltimore. "As this knowledge base increases, so does the ability to engineer solutions for cure, treatment, and prevention of these human conditions. The establishment of the Jacobs Institute, with the innovative molecular research it will undertake, has the potential to revolutionize medicine and provide significant improvement in the treatment of human disease."
A key to the success of the Jacobs Institute will be the development of close working relationships between top medical doctors around the world and researchers at Caltech. "The Jacobs Institute will be a focal point for inspiring the next generation of leaders in molecular engineering for medicine by establishing educational programs and hands-on research training for students of science, engineering, and medicine," said Tirrell. A Jacobs Institute seminar room will provide researchers a venue for project discussions and collaborative talks.
The focus of the work will include molecular engineering, biotechnology, and the design of new biomaterials for medical applications. Cardiovascular disease, nerve regeneration, cellular interactions, engineered organs, and various biological mechanisms will be explored. Advances could lead to innovative treatments and new approaches to the prevention of medical conditions including heart disease, spinal cord injuries, cancer, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, lung disease, and diseases of the nervous system, liver, and kidney.
"The Jacobs Institute will emphasize the intersection of molecular engineering with the medical community and will provide a seamless infrastructure for interactive research and for efficiently delivering clinical technologies to the general public and the commercial sector," said Tirrell.
Industry leader and philanthropist Joseph J. Jacobs was founder and chairman of the board of Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., one of the world's largest international engineering and construction firms, headquartered in Pasadena.
Throughout his career, Jacobs pursued many humanitarian endeavors and made substantial contributions to the improvement of numerous social issues. Among the many honors bestowed on him, Jacobs was elected to the National Academy of Engineering and named a fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. In 1983, President Reagan presented Jacobs with the Hoover Medal, which recognizes the civic and humanitarian achievements of professional engineers. The medal committee cited Jacobs as an "eminent engineer; distinguished builder of worldwide enterprises in chemical engineering; a vital humanitarian force devoted to the support of education in engineering and the sciences for the welfare of society both nationally and internationally; and a dedicated contributor to improving an understanding of the problems of the elderly." An accomplished author, he published two books, an autobiography, The Anatomy of an Entrepreneur: Family, Culture, and Ethics, and a book on social policy, The Compassionate Conservative: Assuming Responsibility and Respecting Human Dignity. Jacobs died in October 2004 at the age of 88. ### Contact: Deborah Williams-Hedges (626) 395-3227 debwms@caltech.edu Visit the Caltech Media Relations website at: http://pr.caltech.edu/media
Written by Deborah Williams-Hedges