LONDON, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- The first scientists on Thursday moved into Britain's new 862 million U.S. dollars Francis Crick Institute in London, described as one of the most developed facilities for medical research in the world.
The laboratory in London welcomed its first researchers to begin their collaboration and help strengthen Britain's world-leading reputation in science, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy announced.
Backed by 464 million U.S. dollars of British government investment, the Francis Crick Institute will support 1,250 scientists in investigating and understanding biological processes that could lead to pioneering drugs and treatments for illnesses such as cancer, stroke and motor neuron disease.
Named after Sir Francis Crick, the British scientist jointly responsible for the discovery of the double helix in human DNA, the new institute is the biggest biomedical research institute under one roof in Europe and will help ensure Britain continues to lead the world in medical discovery and scientific endeavor.
Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark said: "Our investment in The Francis Crick Institute will ensure Britain continues to harness the strength of our world-leading research base to improve lives, creates businesses and jobs and drive economic growth."
Science Minister Jo Johnson said: "The Francis Crick Institute is another jewel in the UK's crown as a knowledge economy, and will help strengthen our position as the partner of choice for researchers around the world."
The new institute spans the size of over 17 football pitches. It will provide scientists with the most sensitive and advanced research equipment available, such as the electron microscopy that allows the most detailed studies of biological structures.
The institute has been specifically designed to encourage scientists from different teams to work together, with researchers in different fields assigned labs next to each other, and shared facilities, breakout areas and communal work space throughout the building.
Once fully operational next year, the institute will be open to the public thanks to its dedicated public space including a gallery, cafe and 450-seat auditorium to host local, national and international events, talks and exhibitions. It will also run a schools outreach program, with a lab dedicated to hosting school visits, helping to achieve its aim of engaging all 27,000 state school children in the local borough.
The Francis Crick Institute is a unique partnership between the Medical Research Council, Cancer Research UK, the Wellcome Trust, University College London, Imperial College London and King's College London.
