£115m biomedical research centre opens at Oxford University

The Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery incorporates two related research institutes: the Target Discovery Institute (TDI) and the Big Data Institute (BDI).

Both will lead the development of new types of research activity, a statement from the university said.

The centre will be home to more than 600 scientists who will work to define disease more accurately, identify targets for new drugs, and to help understand how disease responds to treatment, the statement added.

The centre (see video below) was opened with a £20m gift from the Li Ka Shing Foundation – a Hong Kong-based charitable organisation designed to improve society through the supporting of education and healthcare initiatives.

Speaking during the centre’s opening ceremony, founder Li Ka Shing said: “I believe the work done here will make history, and will make miracles. I consider myself truly privileged to have been able to play a part in enabling the miracles and history that will be made here.”