David Brookstein knew from a young age that he wanted to land in the field of textile research.

So when it came time for college, he enrolled in Philadelphia University, then known as Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science.

However, the school didn't really have what he was looking for, so he left.

Eventually, the school expanded its mission, getting more into the research aspect of textiles, and Brookstein returned, this time as a academician. Today, Brookstein is the dean of the university's School of Engineering and Textiles.

Last week, Brookstein beamed with pride as he led a ceremony celebrating the school's newly opened Biomedical Textile Structures Laboratory.

"We're going to do things that are going to save lives and really continue to put Philadelphia University on the map," Brookstein said at the Oct. 16 ribbon-cutting.

The new laboratory falls under the auspices of the school's Pennsylvania Advanced Textile Research and Innovation Center, also known as PATRIC, a partnership between Philadelphia University, Drexel University's School of Medicine, and the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

The new lab was funded with a $1.25 million grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. One year ago to the day of last week's ceremony, DCED presented the check to university officials.

"I would like to congratulate Philadelphia University again on its 125 years of providing education and research that benefits the economic development of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania," Tom Armstrong, PDCED program director and university liaison, said, referring to the fact that the school is celebrating its 125th anniversary.

The new lab will focus on the research, development and testing of biomedical textiles, an emerging industry. Items created can include sutures, cardiac repair patches, vascular grafts and orthopedic ligaments. Uses for biomedical textiles can include mesh fabrics for hernia and abdominal repairs, vascular implants for aortal, cardiac and peripheral use, and scaffolds for tissue-engineered implants.

Stephen Spinelli, the university's president, said during the ceremony that he is proud to be at the helm of a school that is employing such innovation.

"Our history links us to the textile industry," he said. "We were the first textile school in the United States, (and now) clearly the best textile school in the United States. This initiative is particularly important in our 125 years."

Spinelli said it's encouraging to know that the school is forging ahead with initiatives like these "in the most difficult economic environment in ... a lot of years."

The PDCED got involved because it saw the initiative as having the ability to become an economic engine.

"The goal of PATRIC is to provide leading-edge expertise in research, development and testing of advanced material systems, primarily textiles, that promote growth in biomedical and human protection, leading to business and job growth," PDCED's Armstrong said.

Cheryl Bullock, senior adviser and regional director for U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, also attended last week's ceremony. Bullock said the senator has always supported new technology development with the potential to benefit human beings.

"I am so pleased to be here today to congratulate Philadelphia University on your 125th year of providing education and research that benefits the lives of all Pennsylvanians, as well as all Americans," Bullock said. "Philadelphia University can provide technology that can ultimately enhance the comprehensiveness of the United States' advanced textile industry. You should be very, very proud."

Spinelli said PATRIC, and the new lab, is a great example of people from various sectors working together.

"The collaboration that this laboratory represents is really astounding," he said. "(It's) an amazing job of bringing private-public partnerships together to really promulgate innovation."

Spinelli also spoke about the notion of applied research, and the idea of building upon the school's rich history involving textiles by advancing those concepts.

"How do we build on that fantastic foundation?" he said. "How do you take that knowledge, and how do you create a better world by looking at twenty first century problems?"

The equipment in the new biomedical textiles lab was far from cheap. The custom-made MAGEBA Jacquard Shuttle Loom, which arrived on campus the day of last week's ceremony, cost around $500,000, Brookstein said. While the $1.25 million grant from the DCED was for PATRIC, most of the money has been spent on the new lab, said Brookstein, the engineering and textiles school's dean.

Nanofiber technology is a big part of the lab's focus, and Brookstein said nano-textile structures, which are created at the molecular level, will be able to benefit doctors at places like Drexel's School of Medicine, one of the partners in the initiative.

For now, Brookstein is just relishing the fact that his place of employment is so cutting edge when it comes to technology and innovation.

"In (the past), my vision was that we would be a major player in textile research," he said.

Brookstein said this has been a dream of his dating back to the 1960s, when he was a student himself looking to get into textile research. Now, he's happy to say, with the good work that will be done in the new lab, that dream is well on its way to becoming a reality.

"We're going to repair the world here in our own way," he said.

Spinelli shared similar optimism.

"We are thrilled to have this one-of-a-kind, world-class laboratory in this one-of-a-kind, world-class university," the president said. "We're going to do great work here. I make that promise."

Reporter Jon Campisi can be reached at 215-354-3038 or jcampisi@phillynews.com