Work is underway on a new £16m Imaging Centre of Excellence (ICE) for the University of Glasgow.

The start of construction was marked by Science Minister Jo Johnson who helped to break ground at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital site where the ICE will be located.

The five-storey facility is supported by UK Government funding through the Medical Research Council as part of the Glasgow & Clyde Valley City Deal.

It will provide research facilities unique to the UK and generate over 200 jobs.

In addition, the ICE will house a £7m 7 Tesla MRI scanner, allowing the development of advanced diagnostic imaging methodologies for use in stroke, cardiovascular disease and brain imaging.

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The main contractor of the project is BAM Construction.

Anna Dominiczak, Vice Principal and Head of the University of Glasgow's College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, said: "The ICE is a major addition to the University of Glasgow’s expertise in the field of personalised medicine, following the establishment of the £20m University-led Stratified Medicine Scotland Innovation Centre in 2013.

"The creation of an internationally competitive centre located within a university hospital campus, and incorporating NHS, academic and industry partners, will allow Glasgow to support a much greater volume and variety of clinical trials and translational development than currently, including benefits to the associated supply chain."

Science Minister Jo Johnson added: "The centre will encourage collaboration between academics, industry and the NHS, with the layout of the building designed to facilitate and spark the creation of new innovative collaborations in imaging, such as a dedicated collaboration zone."

(LM/MH)