DNA research centre 'brings 500 new jobs'

Published on Monday 1 December 2008 23:36

WORK began yesterday on a £58 million research building, which is tipped to bring 500 jobs to Midlothian.

Designers said the layout of the building was inspired by the shape of a pair of chromosomes, with coloured panels representing the "DNA fins" linking the office and laboratory blocks.

Scientists from the Roslin Institute and the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) will be based in the building near Penicuik. The facility has been funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

The building, which will open in 2011, is the focal point for the Easter Bush Research Consortium, which brings together Roslin, SAC, the Moredun Research Institute and Edinburgh University's Royal Dick Vet School.

Russell Imrie, chairman of Midlothian Council's planning committee, said: "

In the short term, it will provide a boost to the construction industry while in the medium term it will bring hundreds of jobs to Midlothian."