The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota was established in 1942.Credit: The Hormel Institute
What began as a research lab in a converted horse barn has evolved into a world-renowned cancer research center that is home to 130 scientists specializing in nearly 20 fields of study. The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota was established in 1942 to fulfill Jay C. Hormel’s dream of creating a scientific research facility in his home town of Austin. In the decades since, it has contributed significantly to biomedical research, recently making advances in cancer research. Just this year, for instance, the institute published breakthrough findings in liver studies in Hepatology, and on skin cancer development in Nature Communications.
Until the 1990s, research at The Hormel Institute focused on basic research and lipid analysis. This work led to the identification of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and the development, in 1949, of the first mini pig for vascular research. About 25 years ago, research interests at The Hormel Institute shifted towards uncovering the molecular and genetic mechanisms of cancer.
Dr. Ann Bode, professor and interim executive director at The Hormel Institute.Credit: The Hormel Institute
“Cancer affects everybody,” says Ann Bode, professor and interim executive director at The Hormel Institute. Although cancer treatments have improved, drug resistance still occurs. “[Understanding] the molecular mechanisms of how a disease develops and why cancer cells become resistant to treatment will make a huge difference in health,” says Bode.
While work at The Hormel Institute has direct applications to cancer and other diseases, research programs are firmly rooted in basic science. Currently, research sections are dedicated to molecular, cellular, structural, and computational biology, as well as DNA repair, cancer genetics, and drug development. This diversity of programs provides ample opportunities for researchers to invest in long-term collaborations, which is key to success, says Bode. Strong collaborations with the nearby Mayo Clinic offer additional pathways for researchers to apply basic science in translational and clinical settings.
The Hormel Institute scientists have access to resources at the University of Minnesota’s main campus, including a genomics research center, and a supercomputer institute. Institute scientists are members of Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota, a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center. Steady annual support from The Hormel Foundation also allows scientists to fully commit to their research programs, and supports the growth of the institute. Since 2008, two new buildings have been established, featuring 40 research labs and a large auditorium. In 2017, The Hormel Institute became the only research facility in the Midwest to have a cryo-electron microscope, a powerful tool used to reconstruct biomolecular structures at near-atomic resolution.
Austin is a small city, and the local community as well as the larger region is engaged and supportive of ongoing research. “We have a real presence in the community and this support has grown to include nearby states,” says Bode. Public tours, mentoring opportunities for elementary school students, and several fundraisers such as the annual ‘Paint the Town Pink’ event create strong ties between scientists and the broader public. “It’s a small town life at a big research institute,” says Bode.