Gifts to create major genetics test lab at UI

Iowa City, IA-The University of Iowa's (UI) Center for Macular Degeneration (CMD) will be able to advance its mission with the creation of a large-scale nonprofit genetics testing laboratory, made possible by two gifts totaling $6.2 million.

The lab will be named the John and Marcia Carver Nonprofit Genetic Testing Laboratory in recognition of a $5 million gift from John Carver's mother, Lucille A. Carver of Muscatine, IA.

The Foundation Fighting Blindness, a longtime major supporter of UI eye research, pledged an additional $1.2 million to support the work of the new laboratory.