State-of-the-art research centre will transform cancer treatment
17 Jun 2015
Members of the public will have the opportunity to visit the new £28.5m Manchester Cancer Research Centre on Saturday, 20 June (11am-3pm)
The University of Manchester building in Withington will be home to researchers from a partnership between Cancer Research UK, The University of Manchester and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
The state-of-the-art facility, located opposite The Christie and the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, is set to pull in more world-class scientists to the city, boosting research and helping to get improved treatments to patients faster.
Director of the Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Professor Nic Jones, said: “The new research centre will make a tremendous difference to the way cancer is treated in the future. The new facilities will allow us to progress personalised cancer treatments which will be the way forward for future generations diagnosed with the disease. We will know more about an individual patient’s disease characteristics which will help to lead directly to better treatments and outcomes.
“The new centre will ensure we provide outstanding opportunities and a vibrant environment for researchers, clinicians and external partners to work together towards our vision through a single-site 'bench to bedside' approach."
Cancer remains one of the major healthcare challenges worldwide, in the UK and in the North West. In Greater Manchester alone, about 13,200 people are diagnosed with the disease every year – that’s 36 people affected every day.
The three Manchester Cancer Research Centre partners have been working closely together since 2006 and jointly funded the construction of the new facility which will provide greater opportunities to work collaboratively under the same roof.
The flagship building provides more than 6,000m2 for expansion of research activity and has been designed to maximise the sharing of ideas and collaborations between scientists and clinicians. Cancer experts will be able to use a comprehensive array of new technologies and equipment within the new infrastructure. The building houses meeting rooms, laboratories, a lecture theatre and a café area for the public. It is set to provide space for around 250 staff.
The design also includes a rainwater harvesting system to collect rain runoff from roof areas, and to supply recycled water to the building.
President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell said: “Cancer is one of the world’s most pressing health issues and as such the University has identified it as one of its key areas for research. This wonderful building is a significant milestone in meeting this challenge and will give our researchers new and better opportunities to develop treatments and, ultimately, save lives.”
An open day will be held in the new building on Saturday, June 20. Members of the public are welcome to attend between 10am and 4pm.
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