New £2.5m Government-funded lab to train NHS ready scientists

A new £2.5 million Government-funded laboratory is set to open at the University of Essex to train workplace-ready scientists for the NHS and the life-sciences sector.

This week the Office for Students revealed the investment that will be used to create the Bioscience Skills Training and Research Laboratory (BioSTAR-Lab), in the School of Life Sciences on the Colchester Campus.

The facility will boost the training of healthcare scientists whose expertise underpins 80 per cent of NHS diagnoses – whilst also providing students with the research skills needed to work in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors.

Opening to undergraduates next year, the BioSTAR-Lab, will include a Microbiology and Cancer Diagnostics Laboratory and an open-plan Molecular Biology Laboratory.

The news comes after Essex’s Biology offering was ranked 6th in the UK by The Guardian University Guide and 1st by the Daily Mail University Guide.

Essex is also the top university in the country for providing NHS placements as part of the University's applied biomedical science course.

'At the forefront of training students'

Professor Terry McGenity, Head of the School of Life Sciences, said: "This incredible new facility will place us at the forefront of training students to be skilled and versatile critical thinkers, who will be ready to work in the NHS and life-sciences sectors.

"Here at Essex, we are dedicated to providing a rounded education that is inspired by our world-leading research, which equips our students with the understanding, skills and experience they need to launch their careers in nationally important sectors.

"The BioSTAR-Lab will help fill gaps in diagnosing disease, especially in NHS priority areas like blood science, infection science, cellular science and genomics, whilst also providing opportunities to develop new courses and more flexible training for healthcare scientists.

"This funding is testament to the excellent support we offer to our students, including those on our long-standing degrees in Biomedical Science, as well as newer programs in Biotechnology, Microbiology and Cancer Biology, for example.

"We look forward to welcoming students into this facility next year."

'Shape the future of healthcare'

Featuring bio-secure facilities, the BioSTAR-Lab is designed to support specialised research training and simulated practice in microbiology, cell biology and genomics.

It will enable the University to meet the regional, national and international demand for healthcare scientists, life scientists, researchers, and educators.

The opening of the BioSTAR-Lab comes at a key moment for the region. The UK Health Security Agency is preparing to relocate to Harlow in Essex, located within 40 miles of the University’s Colchester Campus.

Professor Silke Paulmann, Executive Dean (Science and Health), said: "The government investment marks an exciting new chapter for our University and the region.

"The BioSTAR-Lab will empower our students and staff to push the boundaries of discovery and develop the skills our society urgently needs.

"It reflects the belief in Essex’s potential to shape the future of healthcare and life sciences, and we are inspired by the opportunities this creates for our community and the generations of scientists to come."

'Engines of opportunity'

The funding was announced by the government as part of a £88.5 million package to address the government’s industrial strategy and priority sectors for growth.

Successful bids were required to address the government’s industrial strategy or meet the needs of local employers and regional economies

Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said: "This government is committed to supporting colleges and universities as engines of opportunity and growth up and down the country.

"This cash boost from government ensures young people are using the most up-to-date tech and facilities, helping them to secure a future in the well-paying, highly-skilled jobs that are crucial for our Plan for Change.

"It will help build towards the Prime Minister’s target of two thirds of young people taking a gold standard apprenticeship or heading to university by the age of 25 - driving prosperity for families in every town and city.’"