Front Line of Region’s Research

Durham University has opened a regional centre of scientific excellence.

The pounds 4.4m Centre for Bioactive Chemistry opened yesterday underlines the university’s commitment to the region’s research and technology.

It has custom-built labs, including a sterile handling and cell- culture room, temperature-controlled rooms, labs for synthetic chemistry and chromatography and microscopy/spectroscopy suites.

Professor of chemistry David Parker said: “The support received from the Durham County Partnership and One NorthEast has been critical in getting this initiative off the ground. We are particularly keen to reach out to local industrialists and research centres, to work together to develop understanding and trust in research programmes, partnerships and consultancy.

“The centre builds upon the already formidable reputation of Durham Chemistry, which is the only five-star-rated chemistry department in the UK north of Cambridge.”