The two halves of the IMS building are separated by a central atrium. Scientific meetings that are being held on the Foresterhill site may use the atrium for coffee and lunch. In 2002, the building will provide accommodation for approx. 450 research scientists. A range of laboratories will provide facilities for groups ranging from 5 to 45 students and postdoctoral fellows.
All laboratories have dedicated equipment rooms.
Core laboratories will house the tissue culture, category 3 research laboratories, FACS analysis, confocal and fluorescence microscopy, DNA sequencing and analysis, proteomics and electrophysiology. Phase I of the IMS is home to approx. Biomedical Physics occupies its own building adjacent to the IMS and Polwarth buildings. All of the research group leaders supervise the training of postgraduate students and will have new opportunities for postdoctoral staff at regular intervals.