Frequently asked questions
What is the Babraham Institute?
The Babraham Institute is an educational charity devoted to biomedical research, to understand biological events that lie behind normal and abnormal functions of cells. The Institute’s research uses the latest technologies in the study of conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's, fetal abnormality and cancer.
The Institute is located about six miles south of Cambridge on a site formerly belonging to a local family, the Adeanes. It was founded in 1948 and has evolved enormously in the half-century since then. Our research is structured around Laboratories (groups of Principal Investigators with common interests), who pursue lines of research within our remit.
As well as our own research, the Institute seeks to encourage new companies in the biomedical sector. Through our Bioincubator and Babraham BioConcepts we provide scientific, business and technical guidance to early-stage companies, boosting their chances of success.
All matters relating to commercial activity are carried out by the Institute's wholly -owned trading subsidiary,
Babraham Bioscience Technologies Ltd, ensuring a clear distinction between our charitable research and our commercial developments. However all profits from BBT go back to the Institute to help us carry out more research.
go to top
Who works here?
Currently we have about 32 Principal Investigators (Group Leaders), 160 research scientists and laboratory support staff, and nearly 70 graduate (PhD) students. There are 500 members of the Institute including support staff in our on-site Nursery. We host approximately 100 working visitors, coming from about one-fifth of the world's nations; our graduate students are drawn from a similarly wide area. All graduate students are members of Cambridge Colleges and are encouraged to participate fully in University and College social and academic life. This diverse mix of interests and cultures produces a stimulating research environment.
Our Contact pages on the web list staff in management and Principal Investigators. All Principal Investigators can also be found via the Group Leaders list in the Research pages.
If you wish to contact a member of staff not listed, the Institute telephone number is: +44 (0)1223 496 000
go to top
What do we do?
The Institute’s scientists aim to understand how normal cellular processes operate and change during development, with age and with experience. They look to define the underlying mechanisms of cell signalling (communication within and between cells) and gene regulation, focussing on important processes early in development and key functions in the brain, heart and immune system. Knowledge gained from our research may be translated into medicines or therapies for human diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
Research is concentrated on our four key areas of strength: the Institute's Programmes – Developmental Genetics, Molecular Immunology, Neurobiology and Signalling. The research of each of the Laboratories within the Programmes is described in detail in the Research pages.
Developmental Genetics
Babraham's researchers have shown that some diseases in humans are associated with specific changes made to DNA – not to the sequence of the DNA, but to the way in which the DNA strand is modified and packaged. Molecules called methyl groups are added to or removed from the DNA, changing the way its instructions are interpreted. DNA in animals is packed around proteins called histones, and this packing can affect the way in which the DNA message is read. Studies of the effects of DNA modifications are being studied in germ cells (sperm and eggs), during early development, and in cells of the immune system.
The Programme includes work on imprinted genes – genes that are only active in one of the two paired chromosomes that come from the parents. These genes have important roles in mammalian development: controlling growth of the offspring during fetal development and just after birth, adaptations to life just after birth, and important aspects of behaviour in later life. Research is being carried out on the effects of imprinting on maternal behaviour, long term memory, eating behaviour, autism and others.
Molecular Immunology
The immune system is our body's defence against invasion – by bacteria, viruses and parasites. Each invader poses a unique problem for the body. Each has different potential target molecules and each has evolved a different strategy for dealing with our defences. Scientists in the Molecular Immunology Programme are carrying out research into the molecular and biochemical mechanisms behind communication and development of the cells of the immune system.
They are focusing on the way in which signals are passed between and within immune cells. They are also looking to define how these cell signalling events regulate the development of the immune system and immune response, particularly in adults. Events at the molecular level in correctly-functioning immune cells are compared with molecular events in immune diseases.
These studies have direct application to vaccination, inflammation, autoimmunity, tolerance, tissue transplantation and the design of new pharmaceuticals.
Neurobiology
Research in the Neurobiology Programme extends from models of the brain using sophisticated programming, to studies of the molecular basis of memory. Computer models that mimic brain functions can help us to understand complex processes, provide experimental predictions and refine experimentation.
A major theme is to understand normal brain function, and compare it with how the brain functions when it is not working properly. In diseases such as Parkinson's and alzheimer's, key signals or key signal-receiving molecules may malfunction. The Institute’s researchers are trying to determine the components involved, to find specific defects that may be targeted by new and precise therapies.
How we learn and how we recognize our surroundings are processes underlying normal development; these processes are damaged in many neurological disorders. The Institute’s scientists have identified some of the key components in the signalling that leads to memory. These components may be modified in, or absent from, the brain of patients with neurological disease.
Signalling
The Signalling Programme is designed to discover the mechanisms by which cells talk, and to understand how such communication can fail – the basis of many human diseases. Researchers in the Signalling Programme are looking into the chemical pathways that operate in processes such as fertilization, cell growth and proliferation, inflammation, and contraction of the heart. The mechanisms they are studying also underlie the research of the other Programmes.
Amazingly, some of the molecules that cells use as signals are very simple – calcium is perhaps the best example. This element is used in different ways in different circumstances. Our researchers are using state-of-the-art imaging systems (which can detect tiny pulses of calcium) to view the events in single, living cells.
Scientists are also looking at how signals are translated through the membranes within the cell. This process involves a small proportion of key lipid molecules in the membranes (inositides), which act very selectively to transfer messages from different signalling molecules.
go to top
What do we do for you?
From being a largely agricultural institution, the Babraham Insitute has evolved a biomedical focus, where agriculture no longer plays a part. We aim to produce the knowledge that supports developments in healthcare and the life sciences.
Our research is directed towards understanding the basis of disease, for example developmental problems before birth and in childhood, cancer, Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases and in auto-immune diseases. The investment made by the taxpayer, industries and charities in the Institute is clearly dedicated to improving our control over disease.
Our research also has implications for scientific understanding and human knowledge. Many of the major developments in
in vitro fertilization and sperm and embryo freezing have been derived from our research into sperm and egg function. Our fundamental research in lipids and membranes led to the development, at Babraham, of liposomes – tiny 'bags' of lipid that are now widely used for drug delivery (as well as by the cosmetics industry!).
More recently, the Institute’s researchers have developed a method called ribosome display that will help scientists to look for genes, improve protein modification and refine drug analysis. We expect our influence on human health to strengthen in the coming years.
Part of our most recent development has been to ensure that new discoveries from the Institute’s science are preserved, as far as possible, for the benefit of the UK. We are seeking partners in the development of our research, so that ideas for new medicines and treatments become a reality, and so that the income made from commercial applications of the Institute’s research returns to support our ongoing work.
go to top
Why do we use animals in research?
Some of the biological questions we ask are amongst the most difficult to answer: for example, the immune system undergoes a complicated series of developmental steps before it is effective; development of the brain and the ways in which parts of the brain fail involves complex cell interactions between groups of cells in different locations; development of the embryo involves the interplay of tissues, from liver to muscle, from bone to brain. None of these interactions can be adequately mimicked in the test tube or on a computer. If we wish to further understand these processes, research with animals is currently our only means.
In such cases, the complexity of the biological system may require animal experiments. In fact, most of our work on rheumatoid arthritis was done in the test-tube, and much of our work on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases uses human tissue. We pioneered methods for use of material from the abattoir, rather than using animals for experiment. But we hope you can see that the argument may not be simple. In most of our animal experiments we use rodents – rats and mice. We also house a small number of sheep. We do not carry out any experiments on cats, dogs or monkeys.
We use animals only when they can provide an answer to an important question that cannot be provided any other way, only when we are convinced of the value of the experiment , and only when we can convince Government Inspectors of the value of the research. None of our experiments is ever undertaken lightly.
We are careful to maintain a high standard of animal care with an on-site vet, experienced animal care staff and modern facilities.
go to top
What steps are we taking to replace animals?
• Wherever possible, our researchers use cells in culture as the method of choice and seek alternative methods to achieve an experimental end.
• The Babraham Institute was a leader in developing methods to use abattoir material in the study of cell cycles, eggs and development. The experiments on inflammation and neutrophils used material from the abattoir.
• We are participating in a major US-led initiative to create a realistic computer model of a single cell. This is a first step towards modelling more complex systems.
• Today, about 70% of our spending in the lab is on experiments that do not use animals. Much of our research is in the test-tube or uses bacterial cultures.
• In 1997 we established an ethical committee charged with examining every application for animal experiments on our campus. Drawn from a mix of scientists, animal care workers, lay persons and veterinarians, and including members from outside the Institute, this committee may make recommendations for improvements in experimental design, for reduction in numbers or, indeed, for complete reassessment of the experiment. Ultimately, it has the power to recommend that an application is not supported by the Institute.
• We try to minimize our stocks of transgenic mice.
• From time to time a particular type of mouse (a ‘line’) may not be used by our researchers. We have established procedures to ensure that more animals are not bred simply to maintain that line; instead, embryos are stored for future need.
• We remain committed to the use of animals for biomedical research where there is good justification. New questions, new research directions and new collaborations mean that research using animals is an important tool.
• We are determined that the lives of our animals are as full as they can be.
• We have recently invested in new housing for our rodents. We seek to provide the best in animal care through skilled, trained and caring staff, through environmental enrichment and by providing accommodation to the highest standards.
• We are determined that no life is wasted. Our focus, our ethical review, our management, our science direction and, not least, the responsibility of our scientists all work to ensure that the numbers of animals used are minimal.
go to top
What public visits do we host?
Our main public activity is a Schools’ Day, held in March each year during National Science Week. About 150 pupils in years 11–13 from local schools are invited to take part in experiments with our scientists. This unique day gives them hands-on experience with PCRs and gels, with antibodies and computer modelling. All our Laboratories take part, and our staff find the day very rewarding – if hard work!
In addition, we host visits by other groups of students, politicians, academics and industrialists.
In total, about 400 people come to our Campus to talk to our researchers each year.
go to top
Who funds our work?
The Institute is an organisation supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). The BBSRC is our principal sponsor and provides about one-half of our income. Additional funding comes from medical charities, from international and UK organisations and from industry.
Staff at the Institute carry out only innovative research. All of our biology is related to the areas of interest developed in our mission. Grant income is derived from competitively won funding on projects to individual researchers.
go to top
How are we assessed?
We carry out regular internal assessments of our science productivity. These range from informal discussions to rigorous review of individual Laboratories and staff by our Science Advisory Panel, formed from external scientists. We have an appointed a Governing Body - who are all, apart from the Director, external to the Institute - to provide a close and frequent estimate of our performance.
We regularly ask the
Institute for Scientific Information, USA, to carry out a statistical analysis of our citation data. The most recent revealed that 78% of our current Group Leaders had citations totalling more than 1000 in the period 1981-2000, 56% over 1500 and 34% over 2000. In the period 1991-2000, 34% were in the top 1% in their particular publishing fields. For 1991-2000, the Institute ranked in the top 0.6% for world institutions in the fields of Biology and biochemistry and Clinical Medicine and during this period, variously second only to the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology or in the top five UK Institutions for the fields in which it publishes.
The UK government, through the BBSRC, is our major sponsor and several times each year we provide detailed information about our science projects and our spending. Once a year, this is included as a major assessment, and once every four years the BBSRC undertakes the Institute Assessment Exercise (IAE). The BBSRC decides the amount funding to award its institutes on the basis of a formula that considers, among other factors, science output, relevance to UK goals, work in public information, transfer of skills and knowledge to industry.
As part of the IAE, every aspect of our performance is examined in a review conducted by internationally leading experts from outside the Institute who visit our campus. This detailed examination involves all our scientific staff and the committee can make recommendations on any area of our activity.
In addition to these scheduled reviews, we have been assessed in the past decade by several Government committees charged with determining the value of UK science. In all cases the committees concluded that the Babraham Institute has an important role to play in publicly-funded science provision in the UK.
Contacts
Dr Claire Cockcroft
(Head, External Relations)
01223 496260
Contact by email
go to top
