Professor Chris Denning has been appointed as Director of the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences (CBS) as it undergoes a £23m expansion to underline its reputation as a hub of world-class interdisciplinary research.

This extends the existing £40m CBS buildings, where areas of research excellence include the Centre for Synthetic Biology, the National Biofilms Innovation Centre, as well as medical chemistry and protein engineering.

The centre’s extension will bring together experts in serious diseases including cancer, cardiovascular, liver, bone and respiratory conditions to encourage collaboration and drive new breakthroughs in treatment and diagnosis.

The CBS extension is due to open in late 2019. It will house academics, researchers and PhD students across five floors of state-of-the-art laboratories and research space and bring together experts from six separate University of Nottingham sites.

Professor Denning, who heads the Stem Cell Biology Unit at the CBS and also leads the transdisciplinary Regenerative Medicines and Stem Cells Research Priority Area, said: “It is a privilege to take on the role of Director of the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences.

“This is an exciting time for the University of Nottingham. The CBS expansion will be completed in November 2019. By interlinking four of its buildings with world-class facilities, we will create a flagship of interdisciplinary enterprise and collaboration for 800 staff at the heart of the University’s main campus.”

He added: “Our vision is that through chemical and biological discovery and engineering, we will diagnose, treat and cure disease, and provide security for quality of life. Our talented researchers, academics and clinicians will achieve this by tackling important questions for cancer, regenerative medicine, microbiology and genomics, through to re-engineering bacteria to produce valuable advanced fuels.”

Professor Dame Jessica Corner, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, said: “I am delighted at Professor Denning’s appointment. Chris is a world leader in genetic engineering and stem cell therapies as well as an inspirational advocate of the power of transdisciplinary discovery. Under his leadership, the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences will bring together remarkable researchers from complementary fields under one roof, working together to deliver advances that change lives.”

The gene jockey – find out more about Professor Denning and his research.