Biotechnology in NC

Constructing a four-story building is a story in itself.

Here's a perspective from just a few feet away

Building: Jan. 25, 8:45 am

The new building has a moat this morning. It's pretty impressive that the building is on schedule despite the rain issues.

See previous rain photos here and here.

Building: Jan. 22, 10:07 am

Cranes have been delivering HVAC supplies to the roof of the new building. Another thing to note is the plastic wrap around the 1st floor.

Building: January 15

Once the steel was in place, it was only a matter of time before the floors were filled in.

This view is from our Ciba-Geigy Garden, where many of you have enjoyed a reception or pleasant conversation away from the main meeting.

Although daylight hours are increasing, if you come to work early or leave late, you can see the building from Alexander Drive. The lighting helps make it stand out. We'll get a picture of that posted soon.

In the meantime, check out our Facebook page for more pictures from a different view.

Genetically Improved Loblolly Tops Biotech Center Addition

It's not the tallest, but it may be the highest outdoor pine tree in the Research Triangle area this holiday season--and highly symbolic to boot.

The tree is a five-foot loblolly pine grown by North Carolina State University specialists as part of a massive genetic improvement project.

This research tree was an ideal specimen to hoist the four stories into the sky and fasten to a steel beam in a traditional "topping out" ceremony for a $10.4 million addition to the North Carolina Biotechnology Center building.

Biotechnology is the use of living cells and their molecules to solve problems and make useful products. And the loblolly pines being grown and tested at N.C. State incorporate technologies that can help scientists detect and select specimens with beneficial genetic characteristics such as disease resistance.

An ironworker from Roanoke Valley Steel, the Halifax County company that supplied the beams for the project, fastened the tree to the structure. Typical of such events, the tree is likely to remain in place for several weeks until roofers remove it.

The general contractor, Skanska, expects to employ as many as 200 people on the 20,000-square-foot addition, to be completed in the fall of 2010.

View a real-time video of the construction

Building: Dec. 17, 2:20 pm

A view from the library: This picture shows the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors ... and they're putting in the steel beams for the roof.