It’s perhaps not the first place you’d think of looking for scientists, but the British Museum employs a skilled team of scientifically trained researchers and conservationists. That team, and their facilities, were given a major boost this weekend with news of a £25 million donation from Lord Sainsbury (the Tory one, as opposed to the Labour one) to help fund a major new extension devoted to conservation.

The World Conservation and Exhibitions Centre development will house several floors of scientific research facilities and offer space to show-off the museum’s conservation efforts to the public.

The new annexe, designed by Richard Rogers (he of the Lloyds building and the O2 dome) will cost £125 million and will snuggle into a space to the north-west of the existing complex. The scheme is scheduled for completion in 2013.