Liverpool’s Biomedical Research Centre has now been open for more than seven months. Health reporter Liza Williams finds out about the scientists developing treatment for HIV, Cystic Fibrosis and many other debilitating conditions

TUCKED away at the end of a dark corridor in the Royal Liverpool Hospital, scientists are busy testing samples of fluid, researching treatments for some of the world’s most deadly diseases.

The £20m Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) opened in February and staff have worked tirelessly ever since looking into conditions like HIV, TB, cystic fibrosis and sepsis, which can be caused by hospital superbugs.

It has been set up by the Royal, the University of Liverpool and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and is one of 12 in the country to be funded by the National institute for Health Research (NIHR).

“We are carrying out pioneering work here at the centre,” said professor Peter Winstanley, director of the centre. “The equipment we have is amazing – 20 years ago it would not have even been conceivable.

“Liverpool is now at the cutting edge of work into conditions which affect people all over the world and it will mean new drugs can be pioneered for a range of conditions.”

The centre links up with a Clinical Research Facility also housed in the Royal, where patients with various conditions can volunteer to take part in clinical trials.

Their blood is then used in the BRC to further research.

Currently 12 projects are being worked on and all are at different stages of development.

Some have the backing of drug companies, others need to show further results before businesses commit themselves.