The University of Glasgow's new £32m Imaging Centre of Excellence (ICE) has been officially opened.

See inside the Imaging Centre of Excellence

The unique medical research facility, which was built in collaboration with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) and with £16m funding from the Medical Research Council and Glasgow City Region City Deal, was opened by the Chief Executive Designate of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Professor Sir Mark Walport.

The opening event, which is also part of the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences’ Industry Day, was also attended by Sadie Doherty, Lord Provost of Glasgow, and Frank McAveety, leader of Glasgow City Council.

Global centre, local contribution

ICE brings together world-leading research, cutting edge technology and international business investment under one roof and will act as a hub for translating science into economic and patient benefit for Glasgow, Scotland and the UK.

The project will bring 396 new high-value jobs to the city over a seven year period and has been independently assessed to contribute £88m to the local economy.

With aims to become a global centre of excellence for precision medicine, the building is already home to Scotland’s first 7 Tesla MRI scanner – the first of its kind in the UK in a clinical setting. The scanner will be a focus of research for clinical and non-clinical academic imaging specialists and clinical physics expertise.

Collaborations with industry

The state of the art building will also house the Clinical Innovation Zone, a space dedicated to biomedical companies, which will facilitate industry collaborations and the development of innovative healthcare technology. There will also be a further floor of neuro operating theatres, which will be funded by the NHS GGC.

The Clinical Innovation Zone has already attracted international small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) from around the world, including Germany and Singapore. Also in attendance at the opening was the Singapore High Commissioner, Her Excellency Ms FOO Chi Hsia.

ICE is one of three projects in the Glasgow City Region City Deal’s Innovation and Growth theme, alongside MediCity and The Tontine, Centre for Business Incubation and Development in the Merchant City.

"Bringing world-leading academics together"

Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak at the Imaging Centre of Excellence (ICE)Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak, Vice Principal and Head of the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, said: “ICE will be a world-leading example of a precision medicine centre, bringing together the key partners of the University of Glasgow, the NHS and industry together to further clinical research and ultimately bring economic and patient benefits not only for Glasgow, but to the whole of Scotland.

“The ICE isn’t about ivory tower research, it is about bringing world-leading clinical academics together with industry to collaborate and to create something that not only positively benefits patients but also brings a meaningful economic benefit as well.”

"Proud history, bright future"

Councillor Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of the Glasgow City Region Cabinet, said: “Glasgow is one of the world’s most innovative cities – with both a proud history and a bright future in life sciences and new technologies.

Professor Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University, said: “The opening of ICE, and what it will achieve in terms of medical science, is not only a reflection of Glasgow’s position as one of the world’s great research-intensive universities, but also its wider strategic vision to embed new technologies, transform the way we work and bring economic benefit to our community.

“ICE also exemplifies the university’s goal to create visionary buildings that promote interaction with industry and other key stakeholders, bringing inspiring people together in a world-class environment to share knowledge that can ultimately change the world.”

ICE Key Features

  • Dedicated imaging floor home to Scotland’s first ultra-powerful 17.5 tonne, £10m 7T MRI scanner, the first of its kind in a clinical setting in the UK.
  • A 22,000sq-foot Clinical Innovation Zone for industry partners and collaborators, including Siemens, purpose designed to facilitate innovation in healthcare.. 
  • A multi-disciplinary research space for clinical academics, medical physicists, engineers and neuroscientists.
  • Ideal location physically-linked to the Stratified Medicine Scotland Innovation Centre (SMS-IC), the UK Catapult for Precision Medicine, and clinical research facilities for clinical trials.
  • Located within the QEUH, the largest hospital campus in Europe.
  • Home to four NHS neurosurgery theatres on level 1, funded by NHSGG&C

Project funding

ICE Building supported by

  • £16m from the Medical Research Council and Glasgow City Region City Deal

7T MRI scanner, 3T MRI scanner and CT scanner supported by

  • £10m UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF)
  • £3.5m The Sackler Trust and the Dr Mortimer and Theresa Sackler Foundation
  • £2.3m European Regional Development Funding (ERDF)
  • £800,000 The Wolfson Foundation

 

First published: 27 March 2017

<< 2017 Mar-Apr


Find out more