Exeter University plans £20m disease research centre

A Devon university is planning a £20m disease research centre.

The University of Exeter centre is to be built on its Streatham Campus, with building work due to start later in the year.

The centre would concentrate on research looking at how cells operated and how diseases were caused, the institution said.

It would bring together 200 scientists, mathematicians, physicists and biochemists.

The research will also focus on designing better diagnostic and therapeutic tools for alleviating illness, the university said.

Professor Nick Talbot said: "We're trying to understand how some very complex types of disorders work, things such as cancers, heart disease and neurological complaints.

"In order to do that, we need to to have a deep understanding of how living cells operate, and that's what this venture is about."

The university already employs about 3,000 staff.