Government announces £26.4m for Diamond Research Complex
Lord Sainsbury, the Science and Innovation Minister, has announced a £26.4m Government investment to fund the construction of a new research complex at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.
The Diamond Research Complex, which is to be operated by the Medical Research Council (MRC), will provide on-site, high specification laboratories for scientists using the new Diamond Light Source synchrotron and other science facilities at Harwell. It’s hoped research at the site will provide new insight into the structure of materials varying from rocks to bone or tissue. The research at Harwell should help develop new treatments, materials and drugs.
Lord Sainsbury said: "The development of a research complex on the campus demonstrates the Government's commitment to the site and the world-leading science carried out there. These new modern facilities will support and continue to attract scientists of international renown."
To ensure the synchrotron achieves its full scientific potential and access for users is maximised, the research complex will be built alongside Diamond. It will also be used to support researchers using ISIS, the neutron spallation source and the Central Laser Facility, both operated by the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (CCLRC).
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 RCUK, in collaboration with the BBSRC, CCLRC, EPSRC and NERC.
Dr Kevin Moreton, Project Sponsor of the Research Complex and Head of MRC Research Careers, said, "Experience at other synchrotrons around the world has shown that research facilities located close to the source have allowed visiting and resident research teams to achieve remarkable advances; benefiting from close collaboration with the beamline scientists and other technical experts at the facility. This exciting project provides a unique opportunity to enhance a culture of multidisciplinary research in the UK and generate exciting research and development discoveries."
This investment is part of the Government's commitment to making the UK the most attractive location in the world for research. Maintaining access to cutting-edge, large-scale facilities is a key element in ensuring that UK scientists remain at the forefront of research.
