The University of Alabama at Birmingham opened the Altec/Styslinger Genomic Medicine and Data Sciences Building in October of 2025. Designed by William Blackstock Architects, the $78 million project involved the renovation and expansion of the existing Lyons-Harrison Research Building to accommodate leading-edge labs, computational suites, meeting rooms, offices, and purpose-built venues for innovation and collaboration. This dynamic hub colocates investigators from disciplines spanning data science, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, and genomic engineering to advance the full spectrum of biomedical discovery and commercialization. Strategic connections with expert clinicians will accelerate research initiatives in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and genetic disorders to drive breakthroughs in translational health.
The eight-story, 175,000-sf structure houses the Heersink Institute for Biomedical Innovation Conference Center, the Hugh Kaul Precision Medicine Institute, the Informatics Institute, and the Bill Harbert Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Expected to achieve a minimum of LEED Silver certification, the sustainable development repurposed the existing building structure while adding modern glazing to reduce environmental impact. MJ Harris broke ground in April of 2022 on the public-private project, which attracted $50 million in state funding.
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William Blackstock Architects
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Architect
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MJ Harris Construction Services
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General Contractor
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