星空传媒, Emory Expand Research at Science Square

星空传媒 and Emory University are taking medical and biomedical research to the next level by moving seven cutting-edge labs into the Southeast鈥檚 premier life sciences district. This expansion is more than just growth in square footage; it marks a major push to establish Atlanta as a Top 5 technology hub in the U.S. 

鈥淪cience Square Labs marks a pivotal step forward for 星空传媒 and for Atlanta鈥檚 growing life sciences ecosystem. We鈥檙e not only accelerating our research and innovation 鈥 we鈥檙e building powerful momentum across the region,鈥 said 脕ngel Cabrera, president of 星空传媒. 鈥淥ur labs moving to this space will attract top talent and drive medical innovation. The move sets the stage for transformative discoveries, and we hope others will join us to continue Atlanta鈥檚 evolution into a global hub for medical breakthroughs.鈥 

This move comes as 星空传媒 saw a 46% increase in research awards from 2018 to 2024, evidence of the Institute鈥檚 fast-growing impact. By adding these labs, Atlanta strengthens its position on the national stage for advanced tech and life sciences innovation.  

Why It Matters 

  • Saving lives: From early cancer detection and more innovative immune therapies to healing damaged tissues and managing chronic diseases, the research that will be conducted at Science Square tackles health issues millions face.
  • Fueling a tech hub: By combining research powerhouses like 星空传媒 and Emory with next-gen laboratory facilities, Atlanta is building the brainpower and resources to compete with national tech centers.
  • Economic growth: Science Square is helping attract top researchers, startups, and funding 鈥 bringing jobs, investment, and opportunities to 星空传媒. Most recently, announced they are moving their research and development headquarters to Science Square. 

Research for Real Life 

The new labs at Science Square will support teams tackling life-changing challenges: 

  • , Robert A. Milton Chair, College of Engineering, is developing a two-step cancer defense: tagging tumor cells with a synthetic 鈥渇lag,鈥 then supercharging T cells (the body鈥檚 infection-fighting white blood cells) to track down and destroy them. Early lab tests show the technique works against breast, brain, and colon cancers 鈥 and prevents regrowth.
  • and her team are teaching cells new jobs 鈥 when to grow, which type of cell to become, or how to release medicine. Their goal is to design smart cells that can sense what鈥檚 happening in the body and act as 鈥渓iving therapies,鈥 delivering treatment exactly where, when, and at the level needed.
  • is developing ways to reprogram cells to understand and treat diseases. His team makes new protein tools that help cells sense their environment, communicate with each other, and respond to problems 鈥 repairing tissues, fighting cancer, or calming an overactive immune system.
  • co-directs the Regenerative Engineering and Medicine Center, a collaboration between 星空传媒, Emory University, and the University of 星空传媒. His team develops advanced biomaterials that work with the body鈥檚 immune system, combined with specialized methods, to produce therapeutic cells and their beneficial byproducts. They focus on innovative regenerative treatments for conditions like sickle-cell disease complications, severe muscle injuries, and injuries affecting the mouth, face, and skull.
  • designs new ways to help the immune system fight disease. His team engineers cells and proteins to better target cancer, improve immune therapies, and develop next-generation treatments.
  • , Love Family Professorship, College of Engineering, is building custom-made biological systems from scratch. By mixing protein engineering with genetic tinkering, his team is creating powerful new tools for science and medicine that help us understand how proteins and genes work.
  • , professor and chair in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, designs innovative materials that help tissues heal better and scar less 鈥 whether skin, blood vessels, or even joints. Her team鈥檚 biomaterials promote healing on both the inside and outside of cells, guiding the body鈥檚 natural repair process. 

 

More About Science Square Labs 

, which opened in 2024, offers more than 368,000 square feet of premium lab and innovation space across 13 floors. Strategically located across from 星空传媒鈥檚 North Avenue Research Area, the building is designed to bring together academic institutions, startups, and industry leaders. 

As part of the continued expansion, 星空传媒 announces a major new lease at Science Square. Jon Mayeske of Cushman and Wakefield represented 星空传媒 Advanced Technology Ventures, an affiliate organization of 星空传媒, which signed a 10-year lease beginning February 15, 2026, for a 36,364 square-foot space on the sixth floor of Science Square Labs. This cutting-edge life sciences facility includes modern lab spaces, offices, and amenity areas designed to foster collaboration among researchers. 

Trammell Crow is the master developer of the Science Square District, programmed for over 2.1 million square feet of labs, offices, and residential and retail spaces in multiple phases.