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Official Opening of New Roslin Building – A Vote of Confidence in Scottish Science

Speaking at the Opening of the new £60m building, SAC is sharing with the Roslin Institute on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond commented;

"The new Roslin Institute building provides not only a fantastic new home for the 500 scientists who will work here but also a centre of research that will deliver impact for the lives of people in the scientific community and for wider society. The experts based here will be able to deliver top-class research on livestock health and productivity - work which will prove valuable both for animal and human health, with particular emphasis on the kind of comparative medicine that benefits both. I am confident they will deliver new knowledge and innovation and generate new strength in the Scottish economy."

"The Scottish Government is clear on the importance of continuing to invest in Scotland's world-leading research and development in agricultural and environmental science. We have followed that through not only by contributing to this building but by investing more than £50 million this year in our main research providers - part of our long-term support of research and science.

The First Minister had previously toured the new Roslin Building where the SAC and Roslin scientists can meet and exchange ideas. They will be addressing the health and welfare of humans and livestock. There is expertise in areas such as immunology and infectious disease, clinical sciences, genetics and genomics, developmental biology, diseases affecting the nervous system and the welfare and sustainability of livestock systems. The new facility has received key funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

According to SAC Chief Executive and Principal Professor Bill McKelvey the timing for the project could not be better.

“The challenges facing agriculture, including the livestock sector are considerable. It is alarming and surprising to those of us who have been involved in REAL agricultural research over the last several decades that the reawakening of its importance is so recent. How the importance of these issues could have been overlooked in many research funding agendas for so long is peculiar. I exclude the Scottish Government from that comment; they have been notable for maintaining a strong emphasis on research of agricultural relevance throughout. The kinds of research that are needed to address today’s ‘Grand Challenges’ span the range from new fundamental understanding to practical innovation. That is what is so appealing about the combination of scientists from SAC and the University cheek by jowl in the same building.

Professor David Hume, the Director of The Roslin Institute said:

“The new building is designed to maximise cooperation amongst our experts. Our new home will help us tackle complex problems ranging from fertility and reproduction through the threats of diseases such as avian flu and tuberculosis to animal welfare and greenhouse gas emissions. We now have an iconic building that is instantly recognisable.”

The new building’s design was inspired by the shape of a pair of chromosomes, with a rainbow progression of coloured panels that link offices with research laboratories. It forms part of a £100 million development at the University of Edinburgh’s Easter Bush campus, which includes a new teaching building for the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

According to Professor Douglas Kell, Chief Executive of the BBSRC the new Roslin Building, will house world-class science.

“These high-quality facilities will enable scientists to do research that supports and enhances human and animal health, food security, and social and economic well being in the UK and beyond.”

Prof McKelvey gratefully acknowledged the financial assistance of the Scottish Government Rural and Environmental Science Directorate in supporting SAC’s investment.

The new building forms part of a £100 million development at the University of Edinburgh’s Easter Bush campus, which includes a new teaching building for the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

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