Welcome to the Babraham Institute website

The Babraham Institute undertakes innovative, life sciences research to generate new knowledge of biological mechanisms underpinning lifelong health and wellbeing. Research focuses on signalling and genome regulation, particularly the interplay between the two, and how epigenetic signals can influence important physiological adaptations during the lifespan of an organism. By determining how the body reacts to dietary and environmental stimuli, and manages microbial and viral challenges, we aim to improve lifelong wellbeing and healthier ageing.

From a strong base of discovery in cell signalling, internationally-leading groups are studying intracellular pathways to elucidate the mechanism of action of PI3-kinases, MAP kinases, small GTPases and calcium-mediated signalling in the immune, cardiovascular or nervous systems, and in processes like angiogenesis and during ageing. The key proteins identified often represent targets for therapeutic intervention, providing possibilities for further, translational, research.

Understanding the new science of epigenetics is one of Babraham's major programmes. A European and world leader in this area, the Institute is recognised for its pioneering research investigating the principles of epigenetic gene regulation in early development, particularly in germ cells, stem cells and early lineage decisions and in the fundamental regulation of the genome. This is revealing the biological mechanisms underlying physiology and homeostatic control during development, from the point of conception throughout the lifespan. Environmental factors such as diet and immune challenge can leave an epigenetic memory that will influence our health and wellbeing and that of future offspring. Understanding how epigenetic marks, established during early development by intrinsic and external signals such as diet, can influence physiological adaptations during an organism'slifespan is providing insight into the maintenance of lifelong health and the ageing process.

Research exploring the mechanisms behind inappropriate immune activation, which can cause chronic inflammation, autoimmunity or allergies, is revealing how the body copes with both pathogens and dietary insufficiencies. Knowledge of how diet interacts with the body has direct relevance to food security in providing a sustainable supply of nutritious and safe food.

Babraham's research is recognised as internationally-competitive and maintains unique research facilities of national importance. Recent BBSRC investments include a £1.6M Next Generation Sequencing facility, a £1.5M Mass Spectrometry suite with special application for lipidomics' analysis, £23M world-class rodent animal facilities, in addition to bioinformatics, FACS analysis, imaging, gene targeting and monoclonal antibody production. The fundamental principles underlying the control of genome function is being studied through systems biology approaches, integrating high-throughput 'omics' technologies with our expanding capacity for mathematical and biophysical modelling and simulation.

The Institute is a registered charity, which receives strategic funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). Our research investigating the medical importance of the biological mechanisms underpinning lifelong health is also supported by grants awarded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), many other organisations and charities. Our research supports BBSRC's mission to drive advances in fundamental bioscience to underpin pharmaceuticals, health and wellbeing during ageing, and to benefit industrial wealth creation in the UK.

Delivering Knowledge Exchange at the Babraham Research Campus

About the Babraham Research Campus

Professor Michael Wakelam
Institute Director