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Onsite partners

Scientist working on cutting-edge research in laboratory setting in Centre for Life.

Life’s on-site partners continue to do life-enhancing work, both in research and clinical care.

The Life site is home to 30 research groups and more than 200 research, diagnostic laboratory and clinical staff, working for organisations such as Newcastle University, the NHS Northern Genetics Service, and the NHS Newcastle Fertility Centre.

Amazing things happen here

Here are just a few highlights from the past year:

  • Funding was secured for a new research unit for organ donation and transplantation that will be hosted in Newcastle for the next five years. This unit will include a new laboratory at Life, which will explore treatments for donated organs before they’re transplanted.
  • Researchers in Vascular Biology and Medicine are investigating the body’s ability to repair tissue after a cardiac injury, which could lead to new treatments for coronary artery disease.
  • The Northern Genetics Service at Life is investigating ways to improve diagnostic treatments for patients with bowel cancer and other diseases, and using RNA sequencing to make diagnoses where existing lab results are unclear.
  • The John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre at Life has secured funding which will help them improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients with rare muscular disorders, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Pompe disease.
  • The NHS Newcastle Fertility Centre at Life is modernising its patient spaces, with upgrades including a new waiting room, consultation areas and upgraded electronic patient records.
  • Prostate Cancer Research and Prostate Cancer UK are providing funding to a Newcastle University team to develop revolutionary new treatments for prostate cancer. The team is looking to explore new ways to stop the spread of the disease, which is the most common cancer among men. They have also developed a new blood test to diagnose the disease quicker and more accurately, which is being commercialised by a spin-out company called GlycoScore 
Newcastle University is a valued onsite partner at The International Centre for Life
The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust is a valued onsite partner at The International Centre for Life

Dean of Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University and Life Trustee

It’s inspiring and rewarding to be part of a unique circle of science in a place where researchers, clinicians, science communicators and educators work side-by-side sharing expertise and ideas.

Professor Joris Veltman

Joris Veltman, Dean of Biosciences at Newcastle University and Centre for Life Trustree.

Consultant Gynaecologist in Reproductive Medicine, Newcastle Fertility Centre

Newcastle Fertility Centre has been part of the Life story since 1998 and is now regarded as a world-leading fertility clinic, dedicated to research and innovation.

Dr Matthew Prior

Matthew Prior

Consultant Clinical Geneticist and Deputy Medical Director, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals

The Northern Genetics Service, part of Newcastle Hospitals, is a great example of the outstanding role that Life plays in hosting both research and healthcare.

Dr Michael Wright

Michael Wright
Exterior photo of Centre for Life, showing our partner logos, NHS and Newcastle University.

Our purpose and values

In a world that is increasingly shaped by science and technology, Life is always evolving to make sure it reflects the needs of the region.

A North East family are working together to complete at experiment in Life Science Centre.

Our history

For more than 20 years, Life has been a place where people can go to discover the wonders of science – read about our evolving story so far.

Life's iconic logo is featured at the entrance to the science centre.

Latest news

Read our latest news from across the science centre hub.

School children dressed as space rangers in Life Science Centre's Play Zone.

Our year in review

Over the last year, Life has continued its diverse purpose, to entertain, educate and inspire many different audiences.