New World Class Laboratory To Boost Medical Research - £200 Million Rebuild Of The Internationally Renowned Laboratory Of Molecular Biology, UK

Main Category: Biology / Biochemistry
Also Included In: Genetics
Article Date: 25 Jun 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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A £200 million rebuild of the internationally renowned Laboratory of Molecular Biology was given the go-ahead by John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Mr Denham announced that the Cambridge facility will receive the final £67 million needed for its expansion and redevelopment.

Established in 1947, the Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) has produced 13 Nobel Prize winners, most recently in 2002, and is where the structure of DNA was discovered and DNA sequencing invented.

The funding will enable the Medical Research Council, which runs LMB, to meet the cost needed to rebuild the 40 year old building and replace it with an innovative research lab. The cutting-edge facility will enable LMB to expand its research portfolio into new areas such as neurobiology. It will also enable the expansion of the Laboratory's commercialisation activities.

John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, said:

"Investment in the redevelopment of the Laboratory of Molecular Biology to provide a cutting-edge research environment - will help retain and attract some of the world's best scientists working on medical research.

"This laboratory is a key example of the UK leading the world in conducting basic research, translating it into health benefits and commercialising it into wealth benefits. For example, basic antibody research carried out at LMB has resulted in cancer drugs such as Herceptin and current research is looking at monoclonal antibodies to treat Asthma.

"Scientists based at the Cambridge laboratory have helped start more than a dozen companies. The new site will enable reserachers to work closely with Cambridge University's clinical school and the Cambridge University's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to continue to translate basic scientific breakthroughs into clinical and commercial applications.

"This announcement highlights the Government's commitment to supporting fundamental science and attracting the world's best researchers. Investing in large strategic projects such as this indicates the Government's intention to promote the UK as a key player in the international field."

Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, the Medical Research Council Chief Executive said:

''The Laboratory of Molecular Biology has an outstanding track record as an innovator in medical research. The new building will allow the MRC to build on the LMB's position as a globally competitive research centre and continue to attract the best researchers.''

The £67 million contribution is provided through the Government's Large Facilities Capital Fund - allocated by the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). The Fund provides additional financial support for large-scale research projects.

Notes

1. John Denham is speaking at a Summit for Medical Research, which will reflect on the role research has played in the NHS over the past 60 years and look ahead to the role of health research in the future.

2. The Large Facilities Capital Fund is used to provide additional capital to the Research Councils. The Funding is allocated by the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS), based on recommendations from Research Councils UK.

Department for Innovation Universities and Skills (DIUS)