Welcome to Life

Linda Conlon, Chief Executive

The Centre for Life is a pioneering science village based in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne where scientists, clinicians, educationalists and business people come together to promote advancement of the life sciences.

 

Life’s mission is to:

 

  • Inspire curiosity in science through an imaginative programme of exhibitions and events, to raise standards in science education for young people and to engage everyone in contemporary science issues, such as climate change and stem cell technology
  • Provide substantial annual funding and state-of-the art facilities on site, so that world class scientific research in medicine can flourish.   

 

Life’s patron is Dr James Watson, Nobel Prize Winner and co-discoverer of the structure of DNA.

 

The £90 million landmark site was designed by Sir Terry Farrell and opened in 2000.  Previously it had been a Roman settlement, a hospital and a livestock market. 

 

This ambitious, bold project transformed a run-down area of inner city Newcastle and stimulated a regeneration programme that includes a hotel, offices, housing and a multi-storey car park. 

 

Ten years on, Life is established as one of the most successful of the country’s 14 landmark Millennium projects.  Almost 500 people from over 30 countries work here.  It is an independent and self-funding charitable trust with a robust business plan that eliminates reliance on public funding for its operating costs. 

 

Partners in the Centre for Life include Newcastle University; the North East England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI); the NHS Newcastle Fertility Centre and the NHS Northern Genetics Service.

 

Since 2000, teams based at the Centre for Life have earned worldwide headlines for advances in stem cell technology and its Science Centre holds the current North East England Visitor Attraction of the Year accolade.

 

Linda Conlon
Chief Executive

Partner Organisations

Institute of Human Genetics
Institute of Human Genetics

The Institute of Human Genetics (IHG) is a Research Institute of Newcastle University. This status was awarded in 2001 in recognition of the award to the Institute of the highest possible grading (5*) in the national Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) that year.

Newcastle Fertility Centre at Life
Newcastle Fertility Centre at Life

The Newcastle Fertility Centre primarily provides help and support for couples who have problems related to fertility. Most couples in the North East can be seen as NHS patients and we are pleased to receive referrals via your GP. A fee paying service is available for those who are not eligible for NHS funded treatment.

Stem Cells
North EastEngland Stem Cell Institute

The NorthEast England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI) is a collaboration between Durham and Newcastle Universities, the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and other partners, including the Centre for Life in Newcastle.

PEALS
Policy, Ethics and Life Science Research Institute

Welcome to the Policy, Ethics and Life Sciences Research Centre (PEALS). PEALS aims to research, inform and improve policy, professional practice and public participation in the life sciences. We particularly promote research and debate on the social and ethical aspects of genetics and other life sciences.

Northern Genetics Service
Northern Genetics Service

Specialised genetic services have developed in the United Kingdom as regional centres of expertise and in the Northern Region, these services are co-ordinated through the Northern Genetics Service which is part of the Institute of Human Genetics. Our service is provided at both the International Centre for Life in Newcastle and the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough.

Life Bioscience Centre
Life Bioscience Centre

The Life Bioscience Centre is a purpose built centre of 60,000 sq ft. providing accommodation for new and established biotechnology companies. The Incubator Suite is designed to allow start up and spin out companies to become established and realise potential commercial success. A shared laboratory facility is available for use of the incubator tenants. Advice and support is provided to assist new companies to grow.