Indy children's hospital to get new research space

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Indiana's top children's hospital is getting new research space intended to move basic research more quickly into new treatments for ailing children.

A former research floor at Riley Hospital for Children will be renovated into research space to allow the Indianapolis hospital to conduct pediatric clinical trials.

The Indiana University School of Medicine is providing nearly $8.5 million in federal stimulus funding for the project.

Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius (seh-BEEL'-yuhs) announced the Riley grant during a Friday stop in Indianapolis. The grant is one of 146 federal awards totaling $1 billion for construction or upgrades of research space across the nation.

IU President Michael McRobbie said the Riley project will allow researchers to conduct "path-breaking research" to help sick children.