UK gets new super microscope facility to further drug and other research

Published: 23-Aug-2006

Lord Sainsbury, UK Science and Innovation Minister, has announced a


Lord Sainsbury, UK Science and Innovation Minister, has announced a £26.4m investment by the UK Government to fund the construction of a new scientific research complex that should help develop new treatments, materials and drugs.

Being built at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire, the Diamond Research Complex, will be operated by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and will provide on-site, high specification laboratories for scientists using the new Diamond Light Source synchrotron - a giant super microscope - and other science facilities at Harwell.

It's hoped research at the site will provide new insight into the structure of materials varying from bone and tissue to rocks. Scientists will be able to work and stay at the research complex for the duration of their research, alongside peers, visitors and permanent staff.

The MRC is leading the project on behalf of Research Council UK, in collaboration with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Central Laboratory of the Research Councils, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Natural Environment Research Council.

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