The official topping-out ceremony for Scotland's new world centre of excellence for research into cancer will take place on Wednesday 26 October.

The new £15 million Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute at the University's Garscube Estate in Bearsden is a jointly funded centre by the University of Glasgow and Cancer Research UK, which will transform Scotland's research environment and bring a number of distinct benefits for the country's cancer patients.

The new building constructed by Balfour Beatty Construction Ltd., due to be completed by the end of 2006, will house 240 cancer researchers and provide world-class research facilities, accelerating the process of understanding the disease, identifying new therapies and bringing them to patients.

The centre comprises of 5 floors of accomodation including research laboratories and support rooms on two main floors, a microscopy suite, lecture theatre, caf￩, administrative offices and a boardroom.

Professor Karen Vousden, Director of the Beatson Institute says: "It's really exciting to be part of such a big development which will be a melting pot of some of the country's most talented cancer research scientists and doctors."

"The new facilities will allow these experts to work side-by-side on translating basic science into something more clinically useful to give the best possible chance of making progress against the disease."

Professor Peter Holmes, Vice Principal of Biomedicine, University of Glasgow, says: "This new facility will attract international cutting edge research to Glasgow for the benefit of the West of Scotland and the wider community."

"It reflects the ongoing commitment of the University to cancer research and will see Glasgow firmly positioned as a world leader in this field."

Health Minister, Andy Kerr said: "Glasgow ﾖ and Scotland ﾖ already has a worldwide reputation as a centre of excellence in research, this new research institute will benefit many cancer sufferers, not only from Glasgow but from across the whole of Scotland. With some of the best treatment in the world, more and more Scots are living with and beating cancer. Tackling cancer remains a high priority for the Scottish Executive and NHS Scotland."

Award-winning architects Reiach and Hall have designed a state-of-the-art research building with abundant natural light and communal space, providing the best possible conditions for collaborative research.

The second Phase of the development of the Beatson Institute will commence in January 2007 and involves the refurbishment of the already existing buildings.

Professors Karen Vousden and Peter Holmes dug out the first soil on the site during April of this year.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

A photoshoot will take place at the official topping-out ceremony at the University?s Gascube Estate in Bearsden at 9.30am on Wednesday 26 October. To attend please contact the University Press Office on 0141 330-3535.

First published: 25 October 2005