Biology Labs Undergo Extensive Change

A million dollar improvement project is under way in the Biology Laboratories. The cost of the program is being met in part by a $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.

Although the new construction is intended primarily to modernize graduate research labs, the teaching laboratories types of research problems that would be for Natural Sciences 5 have also been improved.

Laboratory Director George Lefevre, Jr. cited the increase in the number and made possible by this program as "its greatest benefit." He added: "We think it will make an improvement not only in the attitude of the staff and students but in their performance as well."

The program calls for a new laboratory of cell biology. Also under construction is a laboratory for basic research into the finite chemical structure of genetic material, to increase knowledge of heredity:

Lefevre attributed the need for rebuilding to a "major change in the character of biological research."

Prior to the renovation program staff members made some improvements in the laboratories with funds from their own research grants.

The need for a renovation program became acute, he added, when recent appointments were made in the department. Facilities "second rate" compared to those of other universities were inadequate for research projects contemplated by the staff.