A Lab with Global ImpactThe Dedication of the Drucker Family Foundation Laboratory for Virology Research The Division of Infectious Diseases hosted the dedication of the Drucker Family Foundation Laboratory for Virology Research on Thursday, May 22. Located on the ninth floor of the Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center, the Drucker Laboratory will be the professional home of Steven Wolinsky, MD, Samuel J. Sackett Professor of Medicine and chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases, and approximately 80 other research personnel focused on virology, AIDS, hepatitis, and related infectious disease research. 
| Dr. Robert Murphy addresses the guests |
The dedication ceremony was led by J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD, Lewis Landsberg Dean and Vice President for Medical Affairs. Dr. Wolinsky and Robert Murphy, MD, John Philip Phair Professor of Infectious Diseases, also addressed the audience of faculty, staff, donors, and friends. Dr. Murphy shared the history of the laboratory with the guests, thanking the Drucker family for their generosity and, in particular, Fred and Bonnie Drucker for their friendship over the years. The Druckers and Dr. Murphy share an extraordinary commitment to their cause. Through his efforts at the Midwest AIDS Foundation, Dr. Murphy also assists in funding HIV-clinical research and the training of physicians and nurses in the field of HIV patient care and research. 
| Guests enjoy a tour through the new lab space with
Dr. Steven Wolinsky (r) |
Dr. Wolinsky heralded the new space, saying, “This state-of-the-art laboratory offers tools for 21st century research to myself and my colleagues. It is thanks to the Drucker Family Foundation that our work continues at the forefront of virology.” He went on to describe the distinctions of the floor, such as the John R. Flanagan Laboratory—a contained Biosafety Level-3 (BSL3) laboratory where researchers will examine bacteria and viruses that threaten severe to fatal disease in humans with no existing treatment options (e.g. SARS, West Nile virus, tuberculosis). Toward the close of the dedication ceremony, Mr. Drucker spoke on behalf of the Drucker Family Foundation. “We have high hopes that this setting will become the birthplace of ground-breaking research geared towards further curbing the devastation of infectious diseases—including AIDS.” Referring to Dr. Wolinsky’s research and Dr. Murphy’s clinical efforts, he said “The dream is that Steve and his team will take on the task of discovery in this lab, while Rob and his group employ the newest protocols with patients at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and in far more exotic places.” | 
