Nearly 80 years after the Cullen Building opened its doors, Baylor College of Medicine is once again a driving force in the evolution of the Texas Medical Center (TMC) with its involvement in the TMC Helix Park in Houston. This 37-acre ecosystem brings together the brightest minds in medicine, science and academia to rapidly advance new breakthroughs and scale their enterprises while also cultivating new business ventures in partnership with industry leaders. This is crucial for ensuring a prosperous economic future for Houston.
As the anchor tenant of Dynamic One, Baylor has leased 114,000 square feet of lab and office space to unify three Baylor research labs under one roof: the Therapeutic Innovation Center (THINC), the Tailored Antibacterials and Innovative Laboratories for phage (Φ) Research (TAILΦR) and the Alkek Center for Metagenomics and Microbiome Research (CMMR), which are poised to accelerate research and commercialization through an entrepreneurial spirit.
Under the direction of Trey Westbrook, Ph.D., the Therapeutic Innovation Center (THINC) is pushing the boundaries of RNA biology—molecules essential for most biologic function—by advancing scientific understanding and translating these discoveries into therapeutic approaches to treat cancer. With generous support from the Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation over the years, including its most recent gift in June 2024, THINC has positioned itself as a national leader in RNA research. The Foundation’s funding has facilitated the recruitment of top-tier scientists specializing in RNA biology and drug development, as well as the launch of pioneering drug-discovery campaigns.
“The Alkek Foundation’s generous support has significantly advanced THINC’s growth, allowing us to recruit nationally recognized faculty and staff who propel our mission to translate Baylor’s pioneering basic science into meaningful impact for our patients,” Dr. Westbrook said. “Dynamic One provides the ideal space to foster innovation and launch new biotech startups in proximity to academic excellence.”
“The research being performed by the scientists in THINC is crucial for improving care for patients in Houston and beyond,” Charles Williams, president of the Foundation, said. “The Alkek Foundation is proud to support this work.”
Led by Anthony Maresso, Ph.D., the Tailored Antibacterials and Innovative Laboratories for Phage Research (TAILΦR) is breaking new ground with its focus on bacteriophages—viruses that naturally infect and destroy bacteria. TAILΦR is at the forefront of developing phage therapy, a cutting-edge treatment for antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections—an increasingly urgent global health challenge.
Support from the Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation in June 2024, and other donors previously, has made it possible for Baylor’s scientists to transform this visionary research into reality.
“Contributions from the Kleberg Foundation allowed scientists at Baylor to turn an idea into reality by funding the science to create the country’s first personalized medicine program around phage therapy, a groundbreaking treatment for incurable antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections,” Dr. Maresso said. “With this innovative treatment we’re aiming to save up to 10 million lives by 2050, and we hope the program will become a model for the rest of the world.”
“Dr. Maresso’s work stands to revolutionize the way we treat infections, leading to a vast improvement in the quality of life for patients around the world,” Helen Alexander, president of the Foundation, said. “The Foundation is eager to see what potential breakthroughs may arise from collaborations among the three Centers.”
The Alkek Center for Metagenomics and Microbiome Research (CMMR), directed by Joseph Petrosino, Ph.D., focuses on understanding how microbial communities within the human body influence health and disease. Research at the CMMR has already contributed to significant advances in microbiome-related therapies, from gastrointestinal disorders to immune system modulation.
Funding from the John S. Dunn Foundation in December 2023 catalyzed further innovation in translational microbiome research at the CMMR.
“The Dunn Foundation’s support is helping to drive innovation in translational microbiome research in our laboratory, with multiple projects quickly moving towards clinical applications,” Robert Allen Britton, Ph.D., said. “We are excited to continue this work in commercial and academic partnerships that will be fostered in our new Dynamic One laboratory space.”
Dr. Britton’s work in the CMMR seeks to address a wide variety of health challenges ranging from autoimmune diseases to antimicrobial-resistant enteric infections, which are caused by micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria and parasites and lead to intestinal illness.
“The John S. Dunn Foundation is proud to support the Center in better understanding how the microbiome impacts human health, which will no doubt offer untold insights into improving health for individuals from all walks of life, locally and abroad,” Charles M. Lusk, III, president of the Foundation, said.
By integrating world-class scientific discovery with commercialization opportunities, Baylor and its philanthropic partners are helping to shape the future of healthcare innovation, making a lasting impact on countless lives.
