After a lengthy dispute over the future of the National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) has decided to close the NIMR's home in north London and relocate it nearer the city center at University College London (UCL).

The MRC met last Thursday (February 10) and decided to accept a bid from UCL to accommodate the institute and work with NIMR scientists to further improve the quality of science. The MRC decided UCL's bid was stronger than that of rival King's College London and was more likely to deliver the goal of greater translational research.

"UCL offered the stronger trajectory in terms of delivery of world-class science, the breadth and depth of collaborative opportunities with the physical and engineering sciences and strong translational research leading to patient benefit," the MRC said in a statement.

A report by the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee...

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