Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Howard Newby; David Ross of Ross; Director of the Wellcome Trust, Sir Mark Walport FRS and Director of the Institute of Infection and Global Health, Professor Tom Solomon officially open the state-of-the-art facility
The grandson of Sir Ronald Ross, the 1902 Nobel Prize Winner, opened University of Liverpool’s new £23 million research facility for the Institute of Infection and Global Health.
David Ross of Ross said: “It is wonderful to see my grandfather’s legacy recognised in this way. The establishment of the Institute of Infection and Global Health and the opening of this new facility will ensure that Liverpool remains at the forefront of research into infectious diseases.”
The Ronald Ross Building is the first phase of a £70M investment in the Institute of Infection and Global Health. The building contains core technologies such as genomics, proteomics, and imaging, as well as enhanced facilities for Containment Level Three viruses to allow for the study of diseases, such as tuberculosis, HIV, and West Nile Virus
Professor Tom Solomon, Director of the Institute of Infection and Global Health, working in one of the new labs. A leader in his field, Professor Solomon is also Chair of Neurological Science and Head of the Liverpool Brain Infections Group
Sir Howard Newby, Sir Mark Walport, David Ross of Ross and Professor Tom Solomon. Professor Sir Howard Newby: “The Ronald Ross Building’s state-of-the-art laboratory spaces are home to scientists at the forefront of research into pneumococcus, diarrhoeal disease, and emerging infections, bringing together the brightest minds from medicine, biomedicine, veterinary health, and biological sciences”
Housing around 200 scientists, research includes collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISC) and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience in Bangalore, to support the vaccination of more than 50 million people against a zoonotic brain infection, Japanese encephalitis, which affects thousands of children across Asia every year
Sir Mark Walport: “The Institute of Infection and Global Health consolidates Liverpool’s 100 year reputation for excellence in tackling some of the world’s most challenging diseases, and this new building is a fitting tribute to the Nobel Prize winning work of Sir Ronald Ross”
Catch BBC North West Tonight’s report, here