22nd April 2020

It was announced today (22 April 2020) that a major new COVID-19 testing facility, the Lighthouse Laboratory in Glasgow, has opened in collaboration with the Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute.

The Lighthouse Laboratory is funded by the UK Government and hosted by the University of Glasgow at its campus at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. Around a quarter of the scientist volunteers who will carry out COVID-19 tests are from the CRUK Beatson Institute. As well as the volunteers, the Institute has donated kit to set up the Glasgow testing facility, including four PCR machines and vital reagents.

In response to today's announcement, Professor Owen Sansom, Director of the CRUK Beatson Institute, said:

"I am incredibly proud of all our staff and scientists from the Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute who have volunteered to put their expert skills and talent to use at the Glasgow Lighthouse Laboratory to help our NHS colleagues and the COVID-19 response. Just like cancer research, this fight is about everyone working together to make a difference. Cancer won't be going away during or after COVID-19 but, by helping the global effort to tackle the virus, we hope we can get back to beating cancer as soon as possible."