The largest scientific lecture theatre in Cambridge has been fully refurbished and it was officially re-opened yesterday (Monday 12 January) as part of a prestigious scientific gathering.

The 450-seater theatre in the Department of Chemistry, used for the teaching of Natural Sciences (mathematics, physics and chemistry) at the University Of Cambridge, has undergone a £1.5 million refurbishment. New heating, lighting and sound systems and state-of-the-art audio-visual facilities bring the Lensfield Road venue up to international conference standards.

Substantial funding for the refurbishment has been donated by Bristol-Myers Squibb (B-MS), a global pharmaceutical and related health care products company whose mission is to extend and enhance human life.

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Lecture Theatre was opened by B-MS Senior Vice President for Drug Discovery, Dr Francis Cuss. Joining him were University Vice-Chancellor Professor Alison Richard and Professor Lord Watson of Richmond, Chairman of the Chemistry Advisory Board.

Following the dedication ceremony, the invited audience of eminent guests heard three lectures which addressed the challenge for 21st Century science to be widely accessible:

Professor Sir David King, HM Government's Chief Scientific Advisor and Head of the Office of Science and Technology on 'Science at the Heart of Government: a View from the Centre'.
Dr Carl Decicco, Vice President of Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb on 'Global Science Collaborations between Industry and University'.
Professor Steven Ley, Department of Organic Chemistry, on 'Chemistry In A Changing World'.

Professor Jeremy Sanders, Head of the Department of Chemistry, said:

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