An unusual alliance was forged in 1981 through a serendipitous meeting between the scientists of CSHL and Exxon at the Banbury Conference Center. Exxon needed scientists trained in recombinant DNA techniques for their new biotechnology division, and CSHL needed costly microprocessing equipment for its staff scientists. With funding from Exxon, a two-story green aluminum sheathed addition was built onto the south side of Demerec with new fully-equipped teaching laboratories. The funding also enabled CSHL to make new staff appointments and train young scientists for 1-2 years before they moved on to the Exxon Research and Engineering Company.