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University of Sussex Media Release.
. University Of Sussex Scientists Awarded Millions For Research

April 4, 2000
For immediate release

The University of Sussex is among 21 universities to receive a share of £129 million in research grants, it was announced today (Tuesday, April 4th).

Two applications for new science buildings at the Falmer campus were successful in the latest round of awards from the Joint Infrastructure Fund (JIF), an initiative between the Wellcome Trust, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Higher Education Funding Council for England, together with major research councils.

Of the 163 bids made by higher education institutions in this round, only 27 "of the most outstanding quality" were accepted. University of Sussex Vice-Chancellor Professor Alasdair Smith said: "The awards continue to demonstrate the high calibre of research work at Sussex and are a remarkable achievement for a university of this size."

Totalling £18 million, the two projects are:

1. To build new laboratories to expand the University’s research into the links between DNA damage, genetic diseases and cancer. The new building will be called the Sussex Genome Damage and Stability Centre.

2. To create a centre of excellence in science and technology research by bringing together the staff of SPRU (Science and Technology Policy Research) at the University of Sussex and CENTRIM (Centre for Research in Innovation Management) from the University of Brighton under one roof. The building is to be named the Freeman Centre in recognition of Professor Christopher Freeman, a world-leading scientist at SPRU. The project is a collaboration between SPRU and CENTRIM.

Commenting on the genome project, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Anthony Moore said: "This funding will allow us to continue the very important studies on why people with certain genetic diseases are more prone to cancer. By looking at the nature of these diseases, we can gain an insight into how cancers arise."

SPRU’s director Professor Benjamin Martin said: "This award means we can now become one of the world’s top five centres for research into innovation. The joint expertise of our two universities will bring major benefits to the region well as to international debates."

The awards, announced today by Science Minister Lord Sainsbury at a ceremony in London, are part of a £750 million programme of funding for university science projects. In the previous round of JIF funding, Sussex was successful in its bid for £5.2 million to refurbish neuroscience and physics laboratories.

For further information please contact Jacqui Bealing or Alison Field, Press Office, University of Sussex, Tel. 01273 678888, Fax 01273 877456, email J.A.Bealing@sussex.ac.uk or A.Field@sussex.ac.uk.

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