MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

CENTER FOR CANCER RESEARCH

77 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE, CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS 02139

September 19, 1980

Dr. Edwin C. Whitehead
Whitehead & Associates Inc.
15 Valley Drive

Greenwich, Connecticut 06830

Dear Jack,

I am very excited about the prospects for W.I. and look forward
to moving as rapidly as possible to settle on a site so we can begin
to make it a reality. I find myself thinking about little else.

I have contacted M.I.T.'s administration and, as I thought, as
soon as next week's inauguration is finished, they want to meet with
us. My guess is the week of October 6th but I'll be in touch about
specifics. bop 3 fee eve od

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As I indicated when we spoke on Wednesday, I can get W.I. off
the ground in my own laboratory by funding the work of 2 of my best
junior associates. There are funds I would seek elsewhere if W.I.
were not on its way, but I think it would get things moving if we —~f

Started funding people as soon as possible who could later become
the nucleus of W.I.

~~
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My proposal is to put $120,000 direct costs plus about $50,000
indirect costs into a program of molecular immunology that we have
developed over the last 3 years. The work involves two directions:
1) understanding how antibody—forming cells develop the ability to
make one and only type of antibody molecule and 2) why the response
of some animals to some antigens is highly restricted while most other
responses are highly variable. Both projects are going well (some
papers published, more in the works) and both have young scientists
firmly in command (Drs. Frederick Alt and Alfred Bothwell). To keep
things going, I must provide them with a salary commensurate.with
that of Assistant Professors (~$30,000/year with benefits), they
must have technical assistant (~$15,000/year) and they need supply
money (~$30,000).
Mr. Edwin Whitehead 2 September 19, 1980

I have only a vague idea how W.I. is set up now and I do not
know if it has the necessary funds for this proposal. I should
soon understand a little more about such matters. Is it possible
for the present W.I. structure, the Foundation which I understand
is behind it, or you to provide the funds for this project? Is
there anything else you would like to know about it?

Sincerely,
> aan se

DB/mts David Baltimore