SUBJECT:	Establishment of the BioCircuits Institute (BCI) as an
	Organized Research Unit at UC San Diego

Following consultation with the Academic Senate and campus administrative officials, I am pleased to announce the establishment of the BioCircuits Institute (BCI) as an Organized Research Unit reporting to Vice Chancellor Art Ellis. Jeff Hasty, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, will serve as founding Director; and Alex Hoffmann, Associate Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, as founding Associate Director.

The Institute will study the dynamics and control of the biological networks that underlie homeostatic regulation and signal responsiveness of cells and organisms. Core Institute faculty will be drawn from a broad spectrum of scientific disciplines, including the biological and physical sciences and engineering. The Institute will focus on such areas as (1) biodynamics of gene regulation, cellular signaling, and immunity; (2) neurodynamics of cognitive and motor behavior; (3) mathematical and computational modeling in biology and bioengineering; and (4) biomimetic engineering solutions.

Membership in the BCI is open to all interested faculty members and research scientists/scholars. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Professors Hasty (hasty@ucsd.edu) or Hoffmann (ahoffmann@ucsd.edu).

Paul W. Drake Senior Vice Chancellor