Keele University’s Chancellor, Jonathon Porritt CBE, officially opened the School of Life Sciences’ £11 million building redevelopment and extension this week.

The Huxley building redevelopment project has significantly expanded the School of Life Sciences’ teaching and research areas, and provides two additional state-of-the-art teaching laboratories with space for 120 students between them. A grant from the Higher Education Funding Council England (HEFCE) of £3.75 million helped to part-fund the project, which will enable Keele to meet the growing demand to study life sciences subjects.

The redevelopment is just one part of a total £45 million investment that Keele is making to create new state-of-the-art science facilities on its campus over the next two years, including an additional brand new physical sciences building with laboratories and teaching spaces, as part of the biggest single investment in learning and teaching in the University’s history.

The Huxley extension also boasts two additional research laboratories and offices to support the increased recruitment of staff and postgraduate research students, enabling high quality research to be central to the School of Life Sciences. The research laboratories will make a significant contribution to the Global Health Initiative at Keele, and will be home to researchers working on neurological disorders including Parkinson’s disease, spinal injury, oncology, viral infections and carbohydrate biochemistry.

After officially opening the Huxley Laboratories Jonathon Porritt enjoyed a tour of the building with invited guests including Deputy Lieutenant of Staffordshire David Morley, Keele Vice-Chancellor Professor Trevor McMillan, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark Ormerod.

Professor Jonathan Wastling, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, said:

“This development showcases the vision we have for the School of Life Sciences at Keele. These new laboratories will allow more students to study life sciences and will advance research, helping us to progress the understanding and impact of these subjects and ensure that our graduates are at the forefront of their field.”

From left, Head of the School of Life Sciences Professor Dave Hoole, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark Ormerod, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences Professor Jonathan Wastling, Chancellor Jonathon Porritt, Vice-Chancellor Professor Trevor McMillan, and Deputy Lieutenant of Staffordshire David Morley.