A £23million new facility for virus research has been officially opened at Glasgow University.

The Sir Michael Stoker Building saw its grand unveiling as five researchers were presented with the UK Government’s Ebola Medal for Service in West Africa in recognition for their efforts in fighting the Ebola outbreak.

The new building is home to the Medical Research Council/Glasgow University Centre for Virus Research (CVR) to help scientists carry out world-leading scientific research.

Professor Massimo Palmarini, Director of the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, said: “The CVR is now fully operational in the magnificent new Sir Michael Stoker Building.

"The facilities we have here provide us with the very best environment in which to conduct our research and the building is a fitting tribute to the legacy of Sir Michael Stoker.

“Infectious diseases, many of which are viral in origin, continue to impose a major burden on healthcare resources and are responsible for the death of 15 million people each year.

"CVR scientists investigate human and animal viruses at all scales, from their genes and proteins to the paths they take through populations.

“We tackle questions such as: can we predict the emergence of ‘new’ viruses? Can we develop better tools to diagnose virus infections? Can we develop vaccines for Hepatitis C? How can we control mosquito-borne viral diseases such as Dengue?”

Two of those collecting Ebola awards at the centre's opening yesterday were Dr Caroline Chauche and Dr Navapon Techakriengkrai, both PhD students in veterinary science at the CVR.

They both travelled to Sierra Leone earlier this year to work in a laboratory testing blood in order to diagnose patients showing symptoms of the disease.

Caroline, who is originally from France and came to Glasgow one year ago to study for her PhD, worked in the city of Makeni from December 21 to January 15.

The 28-year-old said: "Christmas last year was maybe a little bit sad but we were all in the same boat, the staff and the local people, because no one could move to see their friends or family due to travel restrictions.

"It was a very particular moment, spending Christmas away from home with people from all different countries. It was an interesting time."

Navapon, 32, is from Thailand but has lived in Glasgow for three years to earn his PhD and was based in Port Loko in Sierra Leone. He added: "Looking back, and looking at the situation now and how things have improved, I wouldn't say we were proud of what we did. It's very mixed feelings.

"We were small, small cogs in a very big machine but I feel happy that we went there, that we contributed and tried to help as much as we could.

"We did our best and hope that we were useful."

The Sir Michael Stoker Building was funded by money from the university, the Medical Research Council and a Wellcome-Wolfson Capital Award.

It houses cutting-edge facilities including state-of-the-art laboratories, offices and social spaces for the UK’s largest grouping of human and veterinary virologists.

More than 20 principal investigators, and their associated teams, make up the research core of the CVR with more than 180 staff and students.

CVR staff and students aim to generate new knowledge and understanding of viruses in humans and animals for the benefit of society.

Researchers in the CVR work with colleagues in the University, Health Protection Scotland and NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde.

The new building, on Garscube Campus, takes its name from Sir Michael Stoker, the first Chairman of Virology at Glasgow University and in the UK, and one of the country’s most pre-eminent post-war scientists.

The official opening was carried out by Professor Sir Mark Walport FRS.

The Ebola Medal, approved by Her Majesty The Queen, recognises the bravery and hard work of thousands of people who helped to tackle Ebola in West Africa.

The CVR recipients all worked in Ebola virus diagnostic laboratories in Sierra Leone during the outbreak and also include Dr Christopher Davis, Gillian Slack and Dr Agnieszka Szemiel.

A sixth recipient, Dr Steve Welch, has since completed his PhD at the CVR and moved to a postdoctoral position at the Centres for Disease Control in the USA.

Professor Anna Dominiczak, Vice Principal and Head of the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, said: “The new building is a testament to the long and distinguished history of virology research in Glasgow and provides the ideal environment in which to tackle the challenges of the future.

“We are also very proud of our inspirational colleagues who gave their time and effort to help tackle the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone and are delighted that their contribution has been recognised through the award of the Ebola Medal for Service in West Africa."