A new £32 million medical research facility is to open at the University of Glasgow.

The Imaging Centre of Excellence (ICE) development, which was built by BAM Construction, is set to be unveiled by Professor Sir Mark Walport, chief executive designate of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), on Wednesday, 29 March.

The facility will create 396 new jobs in the city over a seven-year period, with independent assessments predicting a £88m boost to the local economy.

Funded with £16m from the Medical Research Council and Glasgow City Region City Deal, ICE brings together world-leading research, cutting edge technology and international business investment under one roof and will act as a hub for translating science into economic and patient benefit for Glasgow, Scotland and the UK.

Features include Scotland's first ultra-powerful 17.5 tonne, £10m 7T MRI scanner, a 22,000sq-foot Clinical Innovation Zone for industry partners and collaborators, as well as a multi-disciplinary research space for clinical academics, medical physicists, engineers and neuroscientists.


In addition, it is home to four NHS neurosurgery theatres on level 1, funded by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), and it is physically linked to the Stratified Medicine Scotland Innovation Centre (SMS-IC), the UK Catapult for Precision Medicine, and clinical research facilities for clinical trials.

Overall, the ICE development is one of three projects in the Glasgow City Region City Deal's Innovation and Growth theme, alongside MediCity and The Tontine, Centre for Business Incubation and Development in the Merchant City.

Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak, Vice Principal and Head of the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, said: "ICE will be a world-leading example of a precision medicine centre, bringing together the key partners of the University of Glasgow, the NHS and industry together to further clinical research and ultimately bring economic and patient benefits not only for Glasgow, but to the whole of Scotland.

"The ICE isn't about ivory tower research, it is about bringing world-leading clinical academics together with industry to collaborate and to create something that not only positively benefits patients but also brings a meaningful economic benefit as well."

City Council Leader Frank McAveety said: "This fantastic new facility is a great example of how our ground-breaking Glasgow City Region City Deal is already helping to reinforce that global reputation – while delivering jobs, infrastructure and a whole range of other economic and social benefits."

(LM/CD)