The entrance to Centre of the Cell is located in the smaller of two blocks

Tucked away only a couple of minutes from the busy Whitechapel Road is Centre of the Cell, a medical and science based educational centre which uses the latest interactive technology to create a fun learning environment.

Centre of the Cell is located in the Blizard Insistute, named after Sir William Blizard, a distinguished surgeon at The London Hospital and one of the College's founders.

It’s one of the most colourful and slightly outrageous buildings in East London.

Entrance to the lecture theatre

Inside is a modern, comfortable, purpose built lecture theatre where school parties and members of the public can attend a variety of events.

The colourful receiption area with its amazing lampshades only hints at the fun to come

Visitors walk across a glass walkway to reach the interactive pod

The larger block where the pods are located with painted glass artwork by Bruce McLean

The building was designed by Alsop Architects (2005) and its most remarkable feature is its transparency which provides intriging views into it.

From the walkway visitors can look down into the open-plan laboratories  where during the day medical researchers work

One of the "pods" suspended over the  laboratories this one is a meeting room - I wish we had something so cool in our office

The interactive games room is located in a large, bright orange pod simular to the adjacent white pod. The egg shaped pods are amazing in themselves but look so dramatic suspended in mid air above the laboraties.

 Inside the interactive pod with its fun, interactive medical games - who ever thought learning about science & medicine could be such fun

The centre is popular and busy with school groups but during one of the public sessions when I visited I noticed the computer games were enjoyed by both children and adults. 

Inside the colourful pod 

There's lots of interactive computer games to try - I hope you get a better score than me  

The Centre of the Cell in its modern and somewhat quirky building, its great fun to visit and the interactive games make learning about some of the complex health and medical topics really enjoyable.

Practical Information 

Address:  Centre of the Cell, Blizard Institute, 4 Newark Street, Whitechapel, London, E1 2AT

Nearest Tube Station:  Whitechapel is in Travelcard Zone 2. Centre of the Cell is 5 minute walk from the station.

Opening Hours:  Mondays to Fridays. Please check website for up to date details before travelling.

Prices:   Pod sessions and special events are pre-bookable. Please check website for prices and details.

The Centre of the Cell holds regular events, for both adults and children.

Website:  http://www.centreofthecell.org/

If you enjoyed this you might like reading my blog about the Royal London Hospital Museum which is located close by.

The author of this blog is a qualified City of London and City of Westminster Tour Guide who leads guided walks combining world famous landmarks with hidden treasures often missed by the crowds. 

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