HIDDEN LIFE…….

Behind the scenes at the International Centre for Life

A unique opportunity to see what ground breaking research really looks like.

The International Centre for Life is to open its doors exclusively for visitors to the British Science Festival Newcastle (7-12 September 2013) with unique access to areas away from public view including the NHS Newcastle Fertility Centre at Life and Newcastle University’s Institute of Genetic Medicine.

Linda Conlon, Chief Executive of Life, will lead the tours.  She said: “Life is a unique place that brings together scientists, clinicians, educationalists and business people to promote advancement of the life sciences.  Regular visitors will be familiar with the Life Science Centre situated at the southern end of Times Square and perhaps conscious of the surrounding buildings making up the collective International Centre for Life.   They may not be so familiar however, with everything else that happens here on site.  For example, The Newcastle Fertility Centre at Life is one of the biggest fertility clinics in the UK and there have been around 3000 babies born thanks to its IVF programme over the past 13 years.   Newcastle University’s Institute of Genetic Medicine, also based here at Life employs over 150 staff and postgraduate students who are working on pioneering genetic research into diseases such as cancer, heart disease and muscular dystrophy.  ”

Very few people, outside of the life science and health community have been granted access but in the spirit of the British Science Festival, Life is to open its doors with two guided tours.  Visitors will also get to see behind the scenes of the Science Centre’s planetarium and its education laboratories.

The tours will take place from 11.00am through to 12.30pm (approximately) on Saturday 7 September and Sunday 8 September.  The tours are for adults only and are free of charge but booking is essential as there is limited capacity.  To book please call (0191) 243 8223 or visit www.life.org.uk

This event is part of the British Science Festival. See www.britishscienefestival.org for more details of all the events in the programme.