The expansion of Dundee University’s College of Life Sciences will secure 200 jobs, stv.tv reports.

In a £12.5 million project, the university is to build the new Centre for Translational and Interdisciplinary Research which, it is hoped, will ‘enhance the institution’s capacity for drug discovery’. The college is currently a leader in the field of drug research.

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Building expansion to accommodate specialists

The existing facility already houses 1,000 research students, scientists and support staff. However, the expansion will accommodate a further 200, enabling specialists from around the world, with a range of skills, to come together in working towards the development of new medicines.

New build will feature long cladding panels

The building has been designed in keeping with the surrounding buildings but will also make reference to the important work that’s taking place within. It will feature long, ‘anodised’ cladding panels on which scientific images representing Life Science Research’s four key scales: Tissue, Organellar, Cellular and Molecular, will be perforated.

Bridging the gap

“Universities are very good at innovation,” said Professor Michael Ferguson, dean of research at the college, to bbc.co.uk.

“What they haven’t been quite so good at is developing the capability to translate that innovation into new medicines and applications. This new centre will help us provide that bridging point.”

Building work is expected to finish in Autumn 2013.

Author: Elizabeth Smythe    Date Written: 10 July 2012