York's Biology Department set for multi-million pound development
Posted on 7 December 1999
The award, which will be administered by the biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, comes from a £750 million fund set up to transform the scientific research environment in the UK by the Wellcome Trust, six Research Councils and the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
The award will enable the department to reconfigure its research laboratories on its existing large site on the Heslington campus of the University. New and refurbished buildings will cluster around a central technology facility, providing state-of-the-art equipment and facilities to support the research programmes of all the groups in the Department. Several million will be spent on new equipment alone. New seminar and lecture rooms for research staff will also form part of the central hub.
The Biology department at York is a closely integrated group of research teams, whose work spans the biological spectrum, including plant biology, ecology, cancer research, and other biomedical fields. The department has an official research rating of '5', which signifies work of international standing across the board.
This investment will lead to new jobs at the University as the development will allow new research programmes; these jobs will include research, technical, secretarial and administrative posts.
"This award provides an exceptional opportunity for the department to keep its internationally-renowned research at the forefront of scientific understanding," said Professor Alastair Fitter, head of department. "The award is a testament to the dedication and commitment of all our staff and students."
The bid was led by Professor Dianna Bowles, who said: "In awarding our bid, the Government endorses our vision of developing our research base in Biology. We now have a really secure foundation for continued success."
"This is the largest single award the University has ever received and it was won against exceptionally stiff competition," said Professor Ron Cooke, Vice-Chancellor. "It is an accolade which reflects the vision and hard work of Alastair Fitter, Dianna Bowles and their team and provides a unique opportunity for them to sustain and develop the department's world class status. It also means that Bioscience York will be seen as one of the leading bioscience centres in Europe and it creates opportunities for wealth and job creation."
The award will offer exciting new opportunities to all the research groups in the Department, including those working on biomedicine, plant science and ecology. Among the research topics that will benefit will be:
- Biomedicine - Work here focuses on the fundamental science that underlies important human diseases
- Cancer research, especially work funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research (YCR) on cervical and prostate cancer, and on the p53 protein that determines whether cells become cancerous. YCR is contributing £0.75 million to the development. Contact: Professor Norman Maitland: 01904 43287, Professor Jo Milner: 01904 432891
- Osteoporosis, or brittle bone disease. Contact: Professor Tim Skerry: 01904 434384
- In vitro fertilisation and how to control multiple births with the 'test-tube baby' technique. Contact: Professor Henry Leese: 01904 432821
- How movement in muscles is generated by molecular motors. Contact: Dr Justin Molloy: 01904 432849
- Plant biotechnology - Work focuses on key features of plant growth and adaptation that underpin a sustainable agriculture
- How plants can adapt to drought. Contact: Professor Dale Sanders: 01904 432825
- Using plants to make novel natural glues. Contact: Dr Simon McQueen Mason: 01904 434318
- How plants tolerate stress and damage. Contact: Professor Dianna Bowles: 01904 434334
- Understanding why shoots branch out. Contact: Dr Ottoline Leyser: 01904 434333
- How seeds germinate. Contact: Professor Ian Graham: 01904 462000
- Ecology - Links between biodiversity and the response of ecosystems to human impacts and global climate change
- What enables some aphids to be pests on crops. Contact: Dr Angela Douglas: 01904 432822
- The effect of global change on ecosystems. Contact: Professor Phil Ineson: 015395 32264
- Using molecules to identify unrecognised microbes that control plant growth. Contact: Professor Peter Young: 01904 432914
- Can roots seek out nutrient-rich patches in soil? Contact: Professor Alastair Fitter: 01904 432814
Notes to editors:
- The development is a collaboration with the Structural Biology Laboratory, which is part of the Department of Chemistry, and which will focus part of its activities in the new complex.
- The bid is supported by contributions of £700,000 from Yorkshire Cancer Research for a new headquarters for the Cancer Research Unit, led by Professor Norman Maitland, £1 million from the Higher Education Funding Council and £2.4 million from the University of York.
- The redevelopment will have spin-off benefits for students and for members of the public. The department intends to expand its work in the public understanding of science and host more events for the public in its new facilities.
- The redevelopment will include new buildings in buff terracotta to be built on the north and east of the present buildings, filling space currently occupied by a series of temporary buildings and a car park. The design, by architects Anshen Dyer, complements the existing structures and sits in the existing landscape, which will be strengthened to enhance views from adjacent public areas.
- The development was granted building consent by the City of York Council in October.