UK Agencies Award EBI New Funds to Expand Facilities

NEW YORK, May 13 (GenomeWeb News) - The European Bioinformatics Institute said today that the Wellcome Trust, the UK's Medical Research Council, and the UK's Biotechnology and Biological Sciences have committed to funding the expansion of the EBI site in Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK.

The new development will provide 1,500 square meters of space. Together with the EBI's existing 3000 square meter building, this will provide the space to house over 400 staff, EBI said.

The specific terms of the funding are still "under discussion," but EBI said the expansion may cost up to £14 million ($26 million). The European Molecular Biology Laboratory has committed £700,000 to the expansion in addition to its current funding, which provides around 45 percent of EBI's funds.

EBI Director Janet Thornton said in a statement that the EBI is "absolutely thrilled" that the UKagencies have agreed to support the expansion. "We now have almost 300 people and the need for more space has become critical; some of our staff members are already in temporary accommodation."

Iain Mattaj, EMBL's new director-general, said that EMBL has "always looked to the host country to help fund projects that involve new facilities. We're delighted that the UKfunding agencies have responded to our needs."