Laboratory of Molecular Biology to be re-built

The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills has announced that the Laboratory of Molecular Biology will see its 40-year old building replaced with state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, which will allow research to branch out into areas such as neurobiology.

Investment in the redevelopment of the Laboratory of Molecular Biology is to provide a cutting-edge research environment

John Denham

Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills

Efforts to commercialise the results of the Cambridge laboratory's research efforts will also be enhanced by the new building.

The Laboratory of Molecular Biology is one of the highlights of the UK's research sector, being responsible for discovering the structure of DNA, developing DNA sequencing technology and producing 13 Nobel Prize winners.

John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, commented: "Investment in the redevelopment of the Laboratory of Molecular Biology is to provide a cutting-edge research environment. It will help retain and attract some of the world's best scientists working on medical research.

Denham also drew attention to the achievements of the facility, including research into monoclonal antibodies to treat asthma and the companies that have spun out from its activities.

Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, the Medical Research Council Chief Executive, added the investment would back up the laboratory's position as a "globally-competitive research centre".

The facility employs almost 400 staff and carries out research into a wide range of disciplines, including biochemistry, genetics, mathematics and physics.