Message from the Chief Executive, Linda Conlon
Dear Friend,
I hope you and your family continue to stay well.
Like many organisations and businesses, when we closed our doors in March, we believed it would probably be for a month or two. A third of the year has passed and only now are we starting the tentative path towards the new future. Although venues like ours were given the green light to reopen on 4 July, we used the time to listen to our audiences to find out what their concerns and needs are.
I’m delighted to announce that we reopen on Saturday 1 August and tickets are now available to book!
It will be a very different experience to the usual one. Safety, of course, is paramount. We are reducing visitor numbers significantly with timed slots that must be booked online, shortening visits and creating a defined route. But visitors also want to experience something the family will love – and we think our new Dino Experience will hit the mark. See below for details.
There’s much to do in terms of creating the new offer: introducing new safety procedures, getting the centre ready and training and supporting our staff. I’ll be sharing our experiences in a webinar on 29 July. If you would like to join, register here.
As always, if you have any thoughts, ideas or experiences to share, please get in touch by emailing info@life.org.uk.
Stay safe.
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Roar back to Life: opening on Saturday 1 August
Like all science centres globally, part of Life's appeal is the hands-on nature of the experience. In the current environment, what was once a USP is now a no-go. So, a completely new experience has been developed that reflects visitors’ safety concerns, whilst delivering a slice of much-needed fun and escapism. Dinosaurs and LEGO® brick models have always been perennial favourites at Life, so combining the two for a new experience is sure to be a hit!
At the heart of the offer is the Brick Dinos exhibition. Artist Warren Elsmore and his team worked with a palaeontologist to carefully recreate some of the largest beasts to ever walk the Earth in miniature LEGO® brick form. Also on display are some wonderful new exhibits from local LEGO® artist Steve Mayes. The other stars of the show are the Life team, who will help visitors get the most from their experience – whether that’s setting challenges, sharing facts or giving guidance.
Life has been awarded the ‘We’re Good To Go’ COVID-19 industry standard and consumer mark from Visit England. Life is not only 'good to go’, but excited at the prospect!
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LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorise or endorse this exhibition.
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Science for all
Like many events, Northern Pride has moved online this year with a one-day festival tomorrow on Facebook and YouTube. Life's placard for Pride is already in place on the digital screen hanging over the entrance to Times Square, declaring Life's slogan: "Science for all".
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Highlights from #LifeGoesONline
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Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see what we’ve been producing in the past few weeks, and visit the online content hub to find all of our activities in one place.
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Mighty development in treating mitochondrial diseases
Writing in the News and Views section of the prestigious journal Nature on 8 July, Professor Mary Herbert from Newcastle University, who is based at Life, discusses important new research on mitochondrial diseases.
The new study, led by an American team, demonstrates how a toxin produced by bacteria can be used to alter mitochondria, which are the energy generators within human cells. Such a tool could combat diseases caused by mutations in the DNA of mitochondria.
To date, mitochondrial diseases are lifelong and incurable.
Professor Herbert is highly acclaimed in her field for pioneering mitochondrial replacement therapy to help prevent the transmission of mitochondrial diseases from affected mothers to their unborn children. The NHS Newcastle Fertility Centre at Life was the first clinic in the world granted a licence to perform mitochondrial replacement therapy.
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Local COVID-19 research
- Scientists at Newcastle University are part of a new national programme to perform underpinning research and develop a standardised UK-wide system for detecting COVID-19 in wastewater, reducing the reliance on costly testing of large populations. The scientists are working with partners Northumbrian Water, as well as Defra, environment agencies, public health bodies and other water companies across the country.
Read the press release >
- An article for The Conversation co-written by Dr Daniel Jolley, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Northumbria University, discusses why some people might reject vaccines. The article follows a recent YouGov survey that found up to a third of UK respondents would turn down a COVID-19 vaccine if one becomes available. According to epidemiologists, upwards of 70% of the population may need to develop immunity to COVID-19 through vaccinations to stop the virus spreading through the population.
Read the press release >
- New analysis indicates that, while mortality rates peaked in all areas of the UK in April, the lockdown decreased mortality much more effectively in London and the South East than in the North of England. This could have implications when looking at local lockdowns to manage further waves of the virus.
The analysis was conducted by the Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA), involving Newcastle University, in collaboration with the NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs) in the North East, North Cumbria and Greater Manchester.
Read the press release >
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Life recommends
- The Roman forts in South Shields and Wallsend will be the first venues to reopen for Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums on 27 July. Details of reopening plans for all venues can be found on its website. Visitors are recommended to book a timed slot to visit in advance.
- BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art will reopen on 10 August with an exhibition of work by Abel Rodríguez. Timed slots to visit at 30-minute intervals must be booked in advance on its website.
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Support us
The International Centre for Life (Life) is a science village that is part of the fabric of Newcastle upon Tyne and a valued resource to the region. The groundbreaking research and patient therapies that take place here have led to international recognition.
From the thousands of babies born with the help of fertility treatment received onsite, to the patients with debilitating diseases who have benefitted from research and clinical treatments, Life has made a difference to so many. There is nowhere quite like it in the world – a place where researchers, clinicians, science communicators and educators work side-by-side on one site, sharing expertise and ideas and creating a unique circle of science.
The charity Life Science Centre is at the heart of this circle. Welcoming about 300,000 visitors a year, its mission is to help people of all ages, from all communities, explore science and to discover its relevance to their own lives and to inspire the next generation of STEM professionals. This mission has never been more crucial than it is today.
COVID-19 has had a massive impact on us. Please support us so that we can continue to make a difference. Click the button below to make a donation.
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