On Thursday 24 November a topping-out ceremony took place at the new £19 million Beatson Translational Research Centre (TRC), based at the University’s Garscube campus. This pioneering new centre will help scientists in Glasgow convert groundbreaking scientific discoveries into real benefits for cancer patients.

The TRC is the third and final phase of a new coordinated research hub that places Glasgow at the forefront of cancer research in the UK.

Due for completion in autumn 2012, the TRC will work alongside existing facilities in Glasgow carrying out basic scientific research at the Beatson Institute and those providing clinical care of cancer patients at the Beaston West of Scotland Cancer Centre at Gartnavel. 

The Beatson TRC will link these two areas by converting basic research into real improvements in patient’s lives and speeding up the process of drug discovery.  It will specialise in the common tumours and those that cause the most deaths in Scotland such as endocrine (breast, prostate and ovarian); smoking related (lung, throat, oral) or gastro intestinal.

The completion of the Beatson TRC will mean that Glasgow will support over 400 cancer specialists and world-class basic and clinical researchers. The Centre will offer world-leading facilities that will serve over 60% of the Scottish population and offer unparalleled opportunities for cross-disciplinary research in the fight against cancer.

Professor Neal Juster, Vice-Principal of the University, said: “This new facility will complete one of the biggest centres for cancer research in the UK and will play a major part in the development of new treatments for a range of the most common cancers. This will provide unparalleled resources for teaching and research at the University of Glasgow and will cement our place at the forefront of cancer research in the UK.”

Callum Leslie, Regional Director of main contractor Mansell said ‘We are delighted to be involved in the construction of this world class building and helping to create a facility that will ultimately provide huge benefits in the treatment of cancer, something that as a company based in the West of Scotland our staff and workforce identify with on a personal level.”

 Topping out ceremony 


First published: 25 November 2011

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