Welcome to Life
Life is a unique science village. First open in May 2000, the £70m site is one of fourteen UK Millennium landmark projects. Designed by award-winning architect and urban designer, Terry Farrell, the site offers a unique, stylish and architecturally striking setting.
Our mission is to create a vibrant and exciting focus where science is explored and debated in the north east region of England. We aim to foster an informed climate within which science can flourish - and encourage young people to develop a curiosity about science and science endeavour. We also provide a regional base for the advancement of knowledge.
It is a non-profit making institution that collaborates with a range of academic and medical partners to drive forward advancements in the life sciences.
The North East has a world-wide reputation for its contribution to science and technology and that work continues today with cutting edge research into Stem Cell technology. Furthermore, with Newcastle being nominated a Science City the region will be a leading player in this field for years to come.
As part of the Life's mission, we aim increase awareness and improve understanding of the possibilities that science has to offer with a programme featuring a wide variety of events and activities.
Life provides:
- An exhibition based on the theme of "life" offering live science shows, an interactive dome theatre, hands on interactives and family based laboratory workshops
- A schools programme based in a suite of laboratories and debating rooms with links to the exhibition
- An annual lecture and debating series featuring popular and respected science communicators
- Management for the Newcastle Science Festival
- Outreach activities to disadvantaged or under achieving groups in the North east.
Life is a partner in Newcastle Science City and aims through is Rediscover Programme to provide insight into the science and issues surrounding the four key topics of stem cells, ageing, energy and renewables, and nanotechnology.
Life also provides support to research and development by managing and maintaining over 100,000 sq ft of state of the art laboratory space for its associate bodies.
Newcastle University's Institute of Human Genetics, Newcastle NHS Trust's Reproductive Medicine Clinic, PEALS, the Institute of Bioethics, and a host of Biotechnology companies operating on site, also make Life truly unique as a 'Science Village'.
The Centre also continues to develop and expand. A 652 space multi-storey car park opened in September 2002 and more recently work has begun on a £9.8 million scheme to improve the laboratories in the Bioscience Centre. The money will help to create two world class facilities - one in the Newcastle Fertility Centre at Life, run by the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust and an adjacent stem cell laboratory occupied by Newcastle University scientists. These facilities will enable stem cells to be produced of sufficient quality to be used on patients for therapeutic purposes.
Life was 5 years old in May 2005 and as part of the celebrations an independently written report was produced to assess the Centre's impact.
For more information regarding Life visit www.life.org.uk