Computer models to outsmart viruses and scaffolds on which stem cells can grow are among five topics picked for the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, the public part of a public-private research building going up on the 1300 block of University Avenue.

UW-Madison on Tuesday announced the five scientists selected to lead work in the public institute, to open in December 2010. They are among 26 faculty who applied.

The goal of the institute is to explore biotechnology, nanotechnology and information technology, said John Wiley, interim director of the institute and former university chancellor. Tools to improve human health and welfare likely will result, he said.

Each of the five scientists will help recruit three researchers from off campus, for a total of 20 chief scientists. Up to 400 people will work throughout the building, which includes the private Morgridge Institute for Research.

The $150 million complex is being funded by $50 million from the state, $50 million from the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and $50 million from UW-Madison alumni John and Tashia Morgridge.

The scientists selected:

• John Yin, a professor of chemical and biological engineering, will study systems biology. He creates computer models to predict how cells, viruses and bacteria respond to stimuli such as drugs.

Viruses and bacteria often mutate to make antiviral drugs and antibiotics ineffective, Yin said. "We want to build computer models of how viruses grow and ask, ‘Where is the Achilles’ heel?"

• Lih-Sheng (Tom) Turng, a professor of mechanical engineering, will design plastic scaffolds to help stem cells grow into tissue. Turng said the cell-enriched scaffolds could be implanted in the body — in the heart to treat heart disease, for example.

• Patricia Brennan, a professor of nursing and chairwoman of industrial and systems engineering, will look at improving technologies such as blood glucose meters so people can better care for themselves at home.

• John Denu, a professor of biomolecular chemistry, will study epigenetics, the factors that determine whether genes are turned on or off. The research could lead to better anti-cancer drugs and new tests for cancer and other diseases, he said.

• Michael Ferris, a professor of computer science, will apply the concept of optimization to several systems, he said. The work could improve how organs are allocated for transplants, how radiation is delivered to tumors and how ethanol is processed from corn, he said.