The Race is to the Swift at Celera Genomics

Last June, the Rockville, MD-based research organization Celera Genomics made international headlines when it completed sequencing of the human genome. By mapping the 3.2 billion chemical pairs that make up a strand of DNA, Celera made one giant leap toward unlocking many of life’s medical mysteries. The company’s genomic database—the largest of its kind among private research firms—will help scientists understand the molecular basis for many diseases, paving the way for research into more efficient drugs and gene therapies tailored to individual genetic profiles.

Since February, KCI Technologies has been designing new mechanical and electrical systems to facilitate Celera’s rapid growth. For Celera—whose name comes from the Latin “celer,” which means “swift”—time means everything.

“Celera is running a serious race, and it’s our job to accept the baton at a full sprint,” said KCI Project Manager Alex Shojaei. “If they decide on the fly to relocate some work stations or lab facilities, we’ll respond with designs to get them operational as quickly as possible. We can’t afford to lose momentum, because delays in Celera’s research may translate into delays in isolating therapies that could one day cure people with diabetes, cancer, or other illnesses.”

In October, KCI began preparing mechanical, plumbing, and electrical designs for Celera’s new industrial-scale, protein research facility. Celera is gutting one floor of its headquarters to house laboratories and offices, where researchers will look for unknown proteins—vital to understanding and treating various diseases—using more than 24 state-of-the-art protein analyzers.

“Right now, we’re designing electrical plans to accommodate a demand for power on the order of 2,000 KVA,” Shojaei said. In comparison, the average household requires about 50 KVA. KCI expects to complete preliminary designs for the infrastructure while much of the equipment is being manufactured. Celera hopes to move into the renovated space in March 2000.

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