KANNAPOLIS, NC (WBTV) - Dozens of politicians, business leaders and representatives from academic institutions from across the state attended a dedication ceremony at the North Carolina Research Campus Monday morning.
During the ceremony, the David H. Murdock Core Laboratory Building, the UNC Nutrition Research Building and the NC State Fruit and Vegetable Science Institute Building were dedicated.
The UNC Nutrition Research Building is home to NC A&T University, NC Central University, UNC Chapel Hill and UNC Greensboro.
NC State University, Appalachian State University, and Dole Food Company will occupy the NC State Fruit and Vegetable Science Institute Building at the NC Research Campus.
UNC Charlotte is located in the 311,000 square foot David H. Murdock Core Laboratory Building.
Representatives from a number of universities across the state participated in the event.
US Senator Elizabeth H. Dole, US Senator Richard M. Burr, US Congressman Robin C. Hayes, and Lieutenant Governor, Beverly E. Perdue, along with former Governors James B. Hunt, Jr. and James G. Martin also attended.
When completed, the NC Research Campus is expected to generate 30,000 jobs for the state of North Carolina in the next 12 - 15 years.
The 350 acre campus is a public-private venture created to foster collaboration and further knowledge in biotechnology, nutrition, agriculture, and health. The David H. Murdock Research Institute, located within the David H. Murdock Core Laboratory, will house over $100 million in state-of-the art scientific equipment.
In preparation for the opening of the campus, the DHMRI has purchased the first phase of equipment for the various core laboratories, including the 950 MHz NMR. In addition to the DHMRI initiative, David H. Murdock has invested $35 million in a longitudinal population-based research initiative led by Duke University to examine the behavioral and genetic differences in people that lead to the development of disease.
The project, entitled the M.U.R.D.O.C.K Study, is an acronym for Measurement to Understand the Reclassification of Disease in Cabarrus/Kannapolis. It will be conducted on site by Duke University scientists and their collaborators and will span over a number of years.
Mr. Murdock's vision for the campus is for the NC Research Campus to be the epicenter of health, wellness and disease research in the world. The presence of vast scientific and human resources combined in a unique collaborative environment on the campus will increase the flow of information from the academic laboratory to industry, resulting in an improvement in the quality of life for people here and around the world.
"The possible collaboration of the different entities at the NC Research Campus is endless and will be the start of a whole new era of collaborative research and innovation to benefit mankind," stated David Murdock. "And that's good news for a world needing to hear good news."
David Murdock speaks during the dedication of the NC Research Campus in Kannapolis, NC.
