Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation

Nickname| OMRF
Formation| 1946; 79 years ago (1946)
Type| Nonprofit organization, independent research institution

Tax ID no.

| 73-0580274
Legal status| 501(c)3) Nonprofit Organization
Purpose| Medical Research
Headquarters| Oklahoma City, OK USA

President

| Andrew S. Weyrich, Ph.D.
Budget| $92,338,587 USD
Staff| 450
Website| omrf.org

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), located in the Oklahoma Health Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institute. Established in 1946, OMRF is dedicated to understanding and developing more effective treatments for human disease. Andrew S. Weyrich, Ph.D. serves as president of OMRF,[1] which employs more than 500 scientific and administrative staff members.

OMRF's scientists, who include a member of the National Academy of Sciences, hold more than 700 U.S. and international patents and have spun off 11 biotech companies. Discoveries at OMRF led to Xigris, the first FDA-approved drug for the treatment of severe sepsis, and Ceprotin, a therapy for people suffering from a rare and life-threatening blood disorder known as protein C deficiency. Research at OMRF also identified the enzyme believed responsible for Alzheimer's disease and laid the groundwork for OncoVue,[2] a breast cancer risk assessment test.

## History

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Beginning from discussions among the alumni of the University of Oklahoma Medical School in 1944, several doctors began to develop the idea of an independent research organization adjacent to - but separate from - the medical school. Led by Dr. Mark R. Everett, a Harvard Medical School grad who rose from professor to become dean of the OU Medical School in 1947,[3] they agreed on August 3, 1946, to incorporate as the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), a private, nonprofit, independent research institution in Oklahoma City. In April 1947 Oklahoma's Governor, Roy J. Turner became general chair of a statewide fund drive for OMRF that spanned all 77 of Oklahoma's counties. By May 1949, 7,000 Oklahomans had donated and pledged $2.35 million, and construction of OMRF began.

The Foundation officially began operations on July 3, 1949.[4] Sir Alexander Fleming, the British scientist who discovered penicillin, made his first visit to the United States to give the keynote address at the dedication. An estimated 2,500 people attended the ceremonies, where Fleming pronounced the future "bright," even though the first building was at the time, in the Nobel laureate's words, "just a big hole in the ground.".[5] Dr. Edward C. Reifenstein Jr., became the foundation's first director.

OMRF opened the doors of its first building on Dec. 17, 1950. Since that time, OMRF has grown from 5 principal scientists to 50, and its staff has grown from roughly two dozen employees to almost 500. Securing more than $30 million annually in competitive research grants from the National Institutes of Health and other granting agencies, OMRF is a member of the Association of Independent Research Institutes [Wikidata].[6] Its scientists focus on research in the areas of immunology, cardiovascular biology and diseases of aging.

## Research

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OMRF conducts its research across five different divisions:[7] Aging & Metabolism,[8] Arthritis & Clinical Immunology,[9] Cardiovascular Biology,[10] Cell Cycle & Cancer Biology,[11] and Genes & Human Disease.[12]

### Aging & Metabolism

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In 2000, OMRF researchers created an inhibitor that, in vitro, stopped an enzyme thought to lead to progression of Alzheimer's disease.[13] In 2007, OMRF researchers found evidence of a molecular mechanism that links a gene called “E4” to the onset of Alzheimer’s.[14]

In 2023, OMRF researchers received a grant from the Alzheimer's Association to study the connection between estrogen and Alzheimer’s in postmenopausal women.[15]

### Cell Cycle & Cancer Biology

[edit]

In 2001, OMRF researchers developed a test using prohibitin genotyping to assess breast cancer risk in women.[16] In 2006, OMRF researchers demonstrated the reversibility of mitotic exit (cell division) in vertebrate cells.[17]

### Heart and blood diseases

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In the 1980s, OMRF researchers studied protein C[18] and developed a treatment for sepsis which utilized activated protein C.[19]

### Genes & Human Disease

[edit]

In 1995, OMRF researchers established a national registry and data repository for studying the genetic causes of systemic lupus erythematosus.[20]

## Education programs

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In 1956, OMRF established its Sir Alexander Fleming Scholar Program, a summer research training program for Oklahoma high school and college students.[21][22]

The 'Teen Leaders in Philanthropy' class was created in 2012 to let up to 40 high school sophomores, juniors and seniors develop hands-on leadership skills and an understanding of what a nonprofit organization does. The program gives participants a chance to learn from a variety of charitable organizations, donors and volunteers during nine sessions throughout the school year.[23][24]

OMRF also provides the training ground for graduate and postdoctoral students each year in the M.D./Ph.D Program at the University of Oklahoma Medical School.[25]

## Core facilities

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OMRF maintains numerous core facilities, including:

* A 7-tesla MRI,[26] which uses a 10,000-pound magnet to generate a magnetic field that is 140,000 times stronger than the earth's and allows researchers to study the cells and organs of genetically engineered living mice and rats at microscopic levels without harming the animals;
* BIACore[27] to measure affinity and binding kinetics of macromolecular interactions;

* DNA Sequencing,[28] with the daily capacity to run 90 sequences;
* Flow Cytometry,[29] with three instruments: the FACScan and FACSCalibur cytometers, capable of three and four color fluorescence analyses, and the MoFlo cytometer capable of high throughput cell sorting.;
* Imaging,[30] to assist researchers with imaging needs ranging from basic light and electron microscopy to digital image processing and analysis;

* In Situ Hybridization,[31] including tissue sectioning, slide mounting, and hybridization histochemistry;
* Mouse Genome Manipulation Facility,[32] providing microinjection services of DNA into zygotes for the generation of transgenic mice, and of ES cells into blastocysts for the generation of knockout mice;
* Molecular Biology Resource Facility, for protein and peptide sequencing and mass spectrometry analysis; and
* Signal Transduction Core,[33] to assist research involving intracellular Ca2+ measurements and protein-protein interactions.

## In society

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OMRF is funded through grants and independent contributions. One of the more unusual contributions is a share in the royalties of the musical Oklahoma!. Oklahoma born playwright Lynn Riggs wrote the original play, "Green Grow The Lilacs," on which the musical was based. Upon his death, he willed his 1% royalty to his 4 siblings. When his brother William Edgar Riggs died, OMRF received rights to that one-quarter share. As of the end of 2018, it has generated over $700,000 in earnings.[34]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Branham, Dana. "University of Utah research leader will be OMRF's next president". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
2. ^ "What is OncoVue?". Intergenetics Inc. Archived from the original on April 26, 2005. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
3. ^ "Dr Mark R Everett". Oklahoma Historical Society.
4. ^ "Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation". Oklahoma Historical Society.
5. ^ "Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation". Oklahoma Historical Society. Retrieved 2019-02-12.
6. ^ "AIRI". Association of Independent Research Institutes. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
7. ^ "Programs". OMRF. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
8. ^ "OMRF adds two principal researchers". Journal Record (Oklahoma City). 12 February 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
9. ^ "Oklahoma researcher earns Lupus Foundation award". Journal Record. 3 February 2021. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
10. ^ "OMRF receives $3.5 million to study blood clotting". Journal Record. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
11. ^ "Presbyterian Health Foundation funds key research in OKC". Journal Record. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
12. ^ "OMRF receives $1.2 million to study diseases of aging". Journal Record. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
13. ^ Lin, Xinli; Kolsch, Gerald; Tang, Jordan; al, et (15 February 2000). "Human aspartic protease memapsin 2 cleaves the β-secretase site of β-amyloid precursor protein". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 97 (4): 1456–1460\. Bibcode:2000PNAS...97.1456L. doi:10.1073/pnas.97.4.1456. PMC 26455. PMID 10677483.
14. ^ He, Xiangyuan; Tang, Jordan; al, et (11 April 2007). "Apolipoprotein Receptor 2 and X11α/β Mediate Apolipoprotein E-Induced Endocytosis of Amyloid-β Precursor Protein and β-Secretase, Leading to Amyloid-β Production". Journal of Neuroscience. 27 (15): 4052–4060\. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3993-06.2007. PMC 6672528. PMID 17428983.
15. ^ Breasette, Austin (30 October 2023). "OMRF scientist receives grant from Alzheimer's Association for research". KFOR. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
16. ^ Jupe ER, Badgett AA, Neas BR, Craft MA, Mitchell DS, Resta R; et al. (2001). "Single nucleotide polymorphism in prohibitin 3' untranslated region and breast-cancer susceptibility". Lancet. 357 (9268): 1588–1589\. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(00)04747-4. PMID 11377649.`{{cite journal}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
17. ^ Potapova, Tamara A.; Daum, John R.; Pittman, Bradley D.; Hudson, Joanna R.; Jones, Tara N.; Satinover, David L.; Stukenberg, P. Todd; Gorbsky, Gary J. (2006). "The reversibility of mitotic exit in vertebrate cells". Nature. 440 (7086): 954–958\. Bibcode:2006Natur.440..954P. doi:10.1038/nature04652. PMC 1513549. PMID 16612388.
18. ^ Taylor Jr, F. B.; Carroll, R. C.; Gerrard, J.; Esmon, C. T.; Radcliffe, R. D. (1981). "Lysis of clots prepared from whole blood and plasma". Federation Proceedings. 40 (7): 2092–2098\. PMID 7194803.
19. ^ Taylor Jr, F. B.; Chang, A.; Hinshaw, L. B.; Esmon, C. T.; Archer, L. T.; Beller, B. K. (1984). "A model for thrombin protection against endotoxin". Thrombosis Research. 36 (2): 177–185\. doi:10.1016/0049-3848(84)90339-6. PMID 6506035.
20. ^ "Researchers Seek Families With Lupus". The Oklahoman. 9 July 1996. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
21. ^ "Fleming Scholar Program". Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
22. ^ Sun, Special to the (2018-04-15). "Edmond trio named to OMRF 2018 Fleming Scholar class". The Edmond Sun. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
23. ^ "OMRF accepting 2019-20 Teen Leaders in Philanthropy applications". Enid News. 2019-01-07. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
24. ^ "Teen Leaders". OMRF. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
25. ^ "Welcome to the M.D./Ph.D. Program". Retrieved 2019-02-25.
26. ^ "Small Animal Magnetic Resonance Imaging Facility". Unknown. Archived from the original on December 18, 2005. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
27. ^ "BIACore". Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
28. ^ "DNA Sequencing Facility". Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Archived from the original on February 7, 2005. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
29. ^ "Flow Cytometry Core Facility". Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Archived from the original on February 7, 2005. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
30. ^ "Imaging Core Facility". Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
31. ^ "RPA/In Situ Hybridization Research Core". Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Archived from the original on May 23, 2005. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
32. ^ "Mouse Genome Manipulation Facility". Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Archived from the original on July 1, 2007. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
33. ^ "Signal Transduction Core Facility". Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Archived from the original on April 6, 2005. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
34. ^ "'Oklahoma!' royalties: A gift that keeps on giving at OMRF". NewsOK. Retrieved 2019-01-25.

## External links

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* Official website

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* United States
* Israel

Other|

* SNAC

35°28′58″N 97°29′50″W﻿ / ﻿35.48278°N 97.49722°W﻿ / 35.48278; -97.49722