BERKELEY, CA — Turner Construction Company joined the University of California, Berkeley, the Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI), Bakar Labs, project partners, researchers, and community leaders to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Innovative Genomics Institute - Bakar Labs building.
The groundbreaking represents the culmination of years of vision, planning, and collaboration among UC Berkeley, the Innovative Genomics Institute, Bakar Labs, philanthropic supporters, architects Weiss/Manfredi and DGA, engineers, consultants, and construction partners working toward a shared goal: creating a hub where scientific discovery, entrepreneurship, and innovation can thrive together. The project will become a cornerstone of Berkeley’s Innovation Zone and further strengthen the city’s position in biotechnology and climate-focused research.
“This groundbreaking is a celebration of partnership,” said Manu Garg, Project Executive for Turner. “Projects of this significance are only possible when owners, designers, builders, researchers, and community stakeholders come together around a common vision. We are honored to work alongside UC Berkeley, the Innovative Genomics Institute, Bakar Labs, and the entire project team to help create a facility that will empower the next generation of scientific breakthroughs.”
When complete, the new facility will provide laboratory, research, and collaboration spaces that support both the Innovative Genomics Institute’s genomics research and Bakar Labs’ growing ecosystem of emerging biotechnology companies. The building will expand capacity for CRISPR-based research and provide critical infrastructure for life science startups transitioning from early-stage incubation to growth, helping innovative companies remain in Berkeley and continue contributing to the region’s economy and innovation ecosystem.
“This is a pivotal moment for genome engineering around the world, and the IGI and UC Berkeley are at the leading edge,” said Jennifer Doudna, Founder of the IGI and Nobel laureate. “This new building is an exciting opportunity to grow the longtime partnership between the IGI and Bakar Labs, and to show the power of combining impact-driven research and entrepreneurship in one space.”
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For the City of Berkeley, the project represents a significant investment in innovation, economic development, and opportunity. By creating space for leading researchers, entrepreneurs, and emerging biotech companies to collaborate in close proximity, the facility will strengthen the region’s life sciences ecosystem, attract talent and investment, and generate long-term benefits for the local community. The project will help ensure that groundbreaking discoveries made in Berkeley can continue to grow, scale, and create impact from within the city itself.
As construction begins, the groundbreaking serves as both a symbolic and tangible step toward a future where scientific innovation is accelerated through collaboration.
