Life at 21!
Life opened in May 2000, with the purpose of inspiring everyone in North East England to explore and enjoy science and to discover its relevance to their own lives.
In the past two decades, Life has welcomed an average of 300,000 people a year to its science centre: families, adults and school groups. Groundbreaking research into regenerative medicine and genetics has taken place onsite and made international headlines, and hundreds of thousands of people have benefitted from the NHS clinics at Life.
A lot has changed in that time. When Life opened, many people were nervous about genetics research and the concept of IVF babies. Life is proud to have been a pioneer in both fields.
Life is 21 in 2021. It’s never been more important to inspire people to explore the big issues facing humanity and how science and technology can help us to tackle them.
Please explore the tabs below to find out more about our unique science village. Want to stay abreast of what is happening across the site? You can read past issues and subscribe to the e-newsletter, Latest from Life.
We aspire to enrich lives through science.
Our purpose is to inspire everyone in North East England to explore and enjoy science and to discover its relevance to their own lives.
We are one team and everything we do is rooted in the following values:
We are one team and everything we do is rooted in the following values:
- Welcoming: our team, our customers and our communities are diverse and we celebrate that! We want everyone to feel comfortable, respected and valued.
- Exceptional: our customers and staff deserve the best and we go over-and-above to exceed their expectations.
- Honest: we are trustworthy, unbiased and behave fairly, ethically and responsibly at all times.
- Curious: we encourage everyone to question everything and explore science and technology through hands-on experiences and individual discovery.
- Entrepreneurial: we’re not scared to push boundaries and try bold, unusual and edgy ways to achieve our ambitions.
- Collaborative: we will continue to partner those who share our passion and values.
Did you know: Life is a charity. We do not receive financial support from local or central government.
Newcastle University chose the International Centre for Life for the location of its Institute of Genetic Medicine. Recognising the benefits of running clinics outside of a hospital environment, the NHS Newcastle Fertility Centre followed shortly after. A second NHS clinic is also situated on-site, the NHS Northern Genetics Service, which is part of the Institute of Genetic Medicine.
Research and clinical highlights:
Research and clinical highlights:
- Researchers at Newcastle University were at the forefront of developing groundbreaking research to prevent mothers from passing on mitochondrial diseases to their children. In early 2017, the NHS Newcastle Fertility Centre became the first clinic in the world to be granted a licence to treat patients using mitochondrial replacement therapy.
- The NHS Northern Genetics Service hosts The John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, which is recognised as a leading site for international patient studies and clinical trials.
- A stem cell therapy developed at the Institute of Genetic Medicine has restored the eyesight of people with Limbal stem cell deficiency – a condition that has various causes, including burns to the eye, contact lens-related eye disease and hereditary diseases.
Did you know: Life is a charity. We do not receive financial support from local or central government.
The International Centre for Life is a charity, built on an entrepreneurial business model which ensures that all of the income needed to cover operating costs is self-generated.
Only 25% of operating revenue comes from mission-related activities, such as admission tickets to Life Science Centre. The remainder comes from a range of income generators, including the rental of property: laboratories; clinics; offices; an outdoor space that is let for popular events, such as concerts and product launches; and, adding some extra piquancy to the mix, commercial property that is now home to the area’s most popular nightclub and three bars.
Newcastle University and Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust play an integral role in the mission of the International Centre for Life. As such, they are not charged a commercial property rental rate for the spaces that they occupy on-site.
Additional income is generated from a venue-hire business (Life Meetings and Events), a multi-storey car park, two cafés, a gift shop and an outdoor ice rink that operates during the winter months.
Partners and supporters
Life has forged many mutually beneficial relationships with individuals, organisations, businesses and networks. We are proud to be associated with our partners and supporters. If you would like to be part of this network, please get in touch.
Meet our partners and supporters
Only 25% of operating revenue comes from mission-related activities, such as admission tickets to Life Science Centre. The remainder comes from a range of income generators, including the rental of property: laboratories; clinics; offices; an outdoor space that is let for popular events, such as concerts and product launches; and, adding some extra piquancy to the mix, commercial property that is now home to the area’s most popular nightclub and three bars.
Newcastle University and Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust play an integral role in the mission of the International Centre for Life. As such, they are not charged a commercial property rental rate for the spaces that they occupy on-site.
Additional income is generated from a venue-hire business (Life Meetings and Events), a multi-storey car park, two cafés, a gift shop and an outdoor ice rink that operates during the winter months.
Partners and supporters
Life has forged many mutually beneficial relationships with individuals, organisations, businesses and networks. We are proud to be associated with our partners and supporters. If you would like to be part of this network, please get in touch.
Meet our partners and supporters
Almost 600 people from 35 countries work here: researchers, doctors and nurses work alongside people in the fields of education, public engagement and business.
Click the button below to find out more about Life’s Senior Management team and its Board of Trustees.
Each member of the Board contributes their time and expertise to help ensure the wellbeing and future of the organisation and oversee that all of the activity on-site supports its charitable mission. Take a look at the 2018 Trustees' Report and Financial Statements for further information.
Meet the trustees and senior management team
Click the button below to find out more about Life’s Senior Management team and its Board of Trustees.
Each member of the Board contributes their time and expertise to help ensure the wellbeing and future of the organisation and oversee that all of the activity on-site supports its charitable mission. Take a look at the 2018 Trustees' Report and Financial Statements for further information.
Sustainability Policy
At Life, we take sustainability very seriously. We are committed to:
- using resources and facilities responsibly to ensure the long-term health of Life and our communities;
- carrying out business in ways that minimise negative effects on the environment;
- identifying ways to improve social, financial and environmental sustainability.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
Life is an educational charity which is fully committed to providing the highest standards of service to our customers and everyone we do business with.
Read our Equality, Diversity and inclusion Statement >
Privacy Policy
We are committed to respecting the privacy rights of customers, staff, suppliers and partners.
Our privacy policy explains how, and on what legal basis, we collect, store, and use personal information about you.
Read our Privacy Policy >
