London – A ‘Global Epicentre’ of Biomedical Engineering

A new research facility harnessing biomedical engineering to address major healthcare challenges at Imperial College London, (ICL), is to receive £20 million of government funding.

The investment by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) through the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UK RPIF) will support the development of a biomedical engineering hub at ICL’s new White City Campus.

The facility will bring together over 500 engineers, scientists and clinicians, collaborating to develop solutions to some of the world’s most pressing biomedical and healthcare problems.

Its research focuses include new technologies for the early detection, monitoring and treatment of cancers; the development of minimally invasive implants; regenerative medicine and technology to aid recovery from nervous system injuries.

The biomedical engineering centre will occupy the Michael Uren Biomedical Engineering Research Hub, a 14 storey research building made possible thanks to an unprecedented £40 million gift from Imperial alumnus Sir Michael Uren and his foundation. Due for completion in 2019, the hub will house a clinical facility side-by-side with multidisciplinary laboratories and offices for translational research initiatives. The building, due for completion in 2019, will house life-changing research into new and affordable medical technology, helping people affected by a diverse range of medical conditions.

ICL’s President Alice P. Gast said: “Collaboration and multidisciplinary research are key pillars of Imperial’s strategy. Our White City campus embodies this. We are creating an environment for the serendipitous encounters, collaboration and networks that drive innovation.

“The Michael Uren Biomedical Engineering Research Hub is one of our remarkable multidisciplinary hubs at White City that address some of the world’s big challenges. Its vision, ambition and potential is unrivalled. The facility and its world-leading research, will be an epicentre of biomedical engineering innovation.”

The Co-Directors of the multidisciplinary Biomedical Engineering Hub are engineer Professor Anthony Bull and Orthopaedic Surgeon Professor Justin Cobb.