The stone laying ceremony at the new biotechnology laboratory building at Lyngby Campus marks the realization of DTU’s vision to unify a unified life science research environment in Lyngby.
On Friday April 24, DTU celebrated the stone laying ceremony for Building 220 which will house biotechnological research from DTU Biosustain, also known as the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability.
Provost Henrik Caspar Wegener's speech clearly reflected the sense that DTU is well on the way to realizing its vision of consolidating all of the University’s life-science research in Lyngby.
Unified life science hub in Lyngby
“We are now closer to achieving our vision of a unified life science hub on our campus in Lyngby, Denmark. DTU Biosustain will occupy a central location on campus next to the majority of the DTU’s life science and bioengineering buildings and activities,” said the Provost, who stressed at the same time that DTU’s strategy for 2014-2019 has set itself the goal of developing the life science areas that— from an engineering perspective—constitute an ever-growing key element of the University’s activities.
Read DTU’s entire Strategy 2014-2019 here.
Cell factories an important part of Danish production
In his speech, Bernhard Palsson, CEO at DTU Biosustain, noted what a great pleasure it is to see the building take shape:
“It’s a great day for DTU Biosustain and a great pleasure for us to see our future home, where we hope to fulfil our mission to develop cell factories that can produce different chemicals and medicines.” Bernhard Palsson also pointed out that it is an important day for Denmark:
"40 per cent of Danish production utilizes cell factories. Our research centre is certain to play a central role in the future development of Danish industry."
Bernhard Palsson, CEO of DTU Biosustain
“Many of you may not be aware that 40 per cent of Danish production utilizes cell factories. Our research centre is certain to play a central role in the future development of Danish industry.”
After the speeches, a time capsule was placed in the building’s foundation. Among other things, the capsule contains strains of microorganisms that are key to DTU Biosustain’s research: Yeast, E. coli, CHO cells, and Streptomyces.
Tallest building at Lyngby Campus
The six-floor Building 220 will be the tallest building on Lyngby Campus, occupying a central location in the second quadrant—the northern end of the campus—close to DTU Chemistry, DTU Systems Biology and DTU Chemical Engineering, which also works in the fields of life science and bioengineering. DTU Biosustain will have as its neighbour the huge Life Science & Bioengineering building complex to be occupied by DTU Aqua, DTU Food and DTU Vet in 2016.
Take a virtual tour of the transformation of DTU Lyngby Campus.
Building 220 is expected to be ready in 2016 and will feature state-of-the-art research laboratories, meeting and office facilities and common areas for DTU.