GLASGOW University is to host a major coronavirus testing facility to combat the spread of the global pandemic.

The centre, which is backed by the Scottish Government and industry experts, will start analysing samples in a few weeks.

Based on the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus it will provide for "substantially more" Covid-19 tests.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she hoped Scotland would have the capacity to carry out 3500 tests a day by the end of the month

The new laboratory will be staffed by more than 500 volunteers including molecular scientists, technicians and bioinformaticians.

The Glasgow centre is one of a number of new hub laboratories which will be opened across the UK to boost testing.

The centres will be coordinated by the Medicines Discovery Catapult, and the project supported by partners Thermo Fisher Scientific, BioAscent Discovery Ltd and Dundee University.

Amazon, Boots and Royal Mail are also involved, alongside the Wellcome Trust.

Glasgow University vice principal Prof Dame Anna Dominiczak, said: "The World Health Organisation has been clear that testing is essential to push back the spread of this new coronavirus.

"I am incredibly grateful to all colleagues who have volunteered their time, expertise and skills for this testing facility.

"As a result of their willingness to help, we have a team of highly skilled people, a clinical space and the core equipment to start work alongside our NHS colleagues immediately."

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