A new £110 million medical science facility has been officially opened in Edinburgh by HRH The Princess Royal.
The Institute for Regenerative Repair (IRR) South was designed by Stantec and built by Balfour Beatty over a six-year period on behalf of the University of Edinburgh.
Home to flagship centres carrying out research in inflammation, reproductive health, and regenerative medicine, the centre will also host a dedicated pandemic science hub and some 500 scientists will tackle issues such as rheumatoid arthritis, lung cancer, and women’s health issues.
Located at the Edinburgh BioQuarter, experts at the institute believe that its close proximity to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh will allow for better shared learning between molecular and cell scientists and clinical researchers.
At the opening event, The Princess Royal, who is also chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, was given a tour of IRR’s extensive open plan laboratories, with staff sharing an overview of their work and research.
The event also highlighted the institute’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientists and its important work with the local community, including a long-standing partnership with Castlebrae Community High School.
Students from the high school took the opportunity to showcase a one-off wooden table that was designed and crafted by pupils, and takes pride of place in the new building’s boardroom.
The Princess Royal closed the event by unveiling a dedicated plaque to commemorate the building’s opening.
Professor Stuart Forbes, director of the University of Edinburgh’s Institute for Regeneration and Repair, said, “IRR South is designed to allow modern science to flourish by fostering collaboration across different disciplines, and providing space for cutting edge research technologies. This new facility will encourage joined-up working and help scientists develop treatments to benefit health more rapidly.”
Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, added, “Many people – colleagues past and present across the University plus external supporters including generous philanthropists – have made the Institute for Regeneration and Repair possible. I very much look forward to seeing the advances in medicine and impact that the students and staff in the Institute will make.”
