Tropical Storm Allison devastated large parts of Houston including the University of Texas Medical School and years of research.

Now, six years later, researchers are finally getting the chance to start a new chapter.

The new $80.5 million research facility is considered the crème de la crème of medical research facilities.

It has state of the art equipment, large spaces to allow scientists to collaborate, luxury housing for research animals and ventilated caging systems.

Dr. Giuseppe Colasurdo showed off the new facility which he says will be home to prominent scientists working towards improving lives. “We will have research relevant to brain diseases, to epilepsy to autism and to generative diseases.”

A new animal lab clinic will allow scientists to investigate other diseases.

And it is there where perhaps the newest medical breakthroughs will be born.

KHOU - TV

UT

The research animals and laboratories will be housed on upper levels of the new facility and out of the way of  future floodwaters.

As you saw in our story, some equipment has already been installed.

Actual investigations in the new facility are set to begin in January.