Research Buildings and Institutes

Rich and Diverse Research Environment

Faculty and students at the School of Medicine are very fortunate to work in a rich research environment that provides so many options for students.

Center for Cellular & Molecular Engineering

The mission of the Center for Cellular & Molecular Engineering (CCME) is to foster interdisciplinary research utilizing principles of life sciences and engineering to develop tools and techniques for studying the development, function, pathogenesis and regeneration of musculoskeletal tissues. 

Center for Vaccine Research

The Center for Vaccine Research (CVR) at the University of Pittsburgh was established to address the development of new diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines for infectious agents that pose risks to global public health and global security. The CVR is one of the nation's leading research institutions and is expanding its footprint in vaccine research and development by growing a team of world-class investigators.

Biomedical Science Towers

The Biomedical Science Towers are three interconnected high rise buildings that contain offices and laboratories for all University medical departments and programs. The third tower is a recent addition that houses state-of-the-art facilities for structural biology, computational biology, zebra fish genetics, neuroscience, drug discovery, and vaccine development.

Bridgeside Point

The Bridgeside Point II building is located off campus on Technology Drive. There are various departments housed at this facility including McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Orthopedic Surgery and Microbiology & Molecular Genetics. This building is also home to both the Stem Cell Research Center (SCRC) and the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative (PTEI).

Clinical and Translational Science Institute

Pitt’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) transforms scientific research and clinical discoveries into modern medical techniques that improve lives. The CTSI research facilitators are regulatory experts who educate and guide investigators on proper development of their studies.

Drug Discovery Institute

The University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery Institute (UPDDI) brings together faculty and graduate students from the Schools of Medicine, Arts & Sciences, Pharmacy, and Public Health in pursuit of a common goal: to identify small molecules that will ultimately result in drug therapy treatments for orphan and neglected diseases, as well as other diseases.

Falk Library of the Health Sciences

The Health Sciences Library System (HSLS) at the University of Pittsburgh offers a wide array of information services, educational opportunities, and resources in print and electronic format to faculty, students, and researchers in the School of Medicine and other health sciences. 

Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research

Research in the Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research (PCPR) ranges from the study of ion channels, growth factors and mechanisms of nociceptor sensitization to genome-wide association studies in chronic pain patients and strategies for improved management of postoperative pain.

Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases

The Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (PIND)  takes an integrated approach to the study of neurodegenerative diseases and their mechanisms, including Parkinson’s Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Huntington’s Disease, Stroke, and Alzheimer’s Disease. Through basic, translation, and clinical research, the PIND seeks to apply life-changing laboratory findings into new treatments and applications for those affected by neurodegenerative diseases.

Scaife Hall

Scaife Hall is home of Pitt’s School of Medicine, a top recipient of National Institutes of Health research funding and ranked as a “top medical school” by U.S. News & World Report in the categories of research and primary care.

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) makes our training environment special.  Clinical faculty at the School of Medicine conduct their practice primarily through the UPMC network. Because of the strong partnership between the School of Medicine and UPMC, graduate students have access to unique clinical research programs.  This partnership has led to the establishment of many research centers and institutes that bring together basic scientists, clinical scientists, physicians, graduate students and physicians-in-training.  

Hillman Cancer Center

The UPMC Hillman Cancer Center includes a range of disciplines, from cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Researchers collaborate with clinician-scientists to advance discoveries into novel clinical trials, providing patients with early access to new and innovated treatments. 

Magee Women's Research Institute

Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) is one of the largest research institutes dedicated to reproductive biology and women's health in the United States. Faculty and trainees pursue a broad research agenda that spans reproductive biology and development, pregnancy, female infectious diseases, fertility, cancer, pelvic health and well-being of women throughout the lifespan.

McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine

The McGowan Institute was established to advance our understanding of tissue engineering and other techniques aimed at repairing damaged or diseased tissues and organs. It is a base of operations for the University's leading scientists and clinical faculty who are working to develop tissue engineering, cellular therapies, biosurgery, and artificial/biohybrid organ devices.

Rangos Research Center

John G. Rangos Sr. Research Center at UPMC Children's Hospital is the hub for pediatric research performed in Pittsburgh. It houses state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment where researchers are dedicated to improving treatments and finding cures for diseases that affect children all over the world.