BBSRC visit to university

The head of Britain’s leading funding agency for academic research and training in the non- medical life sciences visited St Andrews today (Wednesday 25th July, 2001) to take a tour of the University’s state-of-the-art Centre for Biomolecular Sciences (BMS).

Professor Ray Baker, Chief Executive of the BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biosciences Research Council), was given a guided tour of the striking £9 million BMS building by Centre Director Professor Garry Taylor.

The Centre for Biomolecular Sciences enjoys around £3M in funding from the BBSRC. This funds a variety of projects such as understanding the molecular basis of replication, how viruses infect cells, how DNA is repaired and how enzymes can be used in the synthesis of new molecules.

Professor Baker and his colleague Dr Colin Miles, Head of the Biomolecular Sciences Branch of BBSRC, made the trip to St Andrews to look at the work of the Centre.

They met with members of the Centre and the School of Chemistry to discuss mechanisms for future support. They also met members of the University Executive to discuss future funding strategies.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The University of St Andrews has invested heavily in the interface of Biology and Chemistry, both in the building of the £9M Centre in 1998 on the North Haugh, and in the appointment of new faculty members. The Centre has had considerable success in raising research funding, currently around £11M, which has attracted interest from several quarters. The collaborative research environment at the Centre is almost unique in UK academia.

Issued by Beattie Media On behalf of the University of St Andrews Contact Gayle Cook on 01334 467227, mobile 07900 050103, or email [email protected]