Research Features

20/05/2025

The rise and rise of proteostasis

This feature was written by Becky Allen for the 2023-2024 Institute Review.

Proteostasis, the myriad mechanisms that ensure our proteins work correctly, is key to healthy ageing. We speak to Dr Della David and Dr Rahul Samant about their cutting-edge research, why proteostasis is such a growing area of strength at the Institute, and how the new UK Proteostasis Network will help accelerate research in the field.

20/05/2025

Adapting to change and challenge

This feature was written by Becky Allen for the 2023-2024 Institute Review.

Understanding how things work underpins the Institute’s past, present and future. Dr Simon Cook, Institute Director and head of the Signalling programme, explains why he’s an evangelist for discovery research, how this quest for understanding is reflected in the Institute’s science, its people and the ecosystem of the Babraham Research Campus, and looks ahead to the next four years’ work.

20/05/2025

Immunology, interactions and interplay

This feature was written by Becky Allen for the 2023-2024 Institute Review.

As we age, our bodies become more prone to infection and disease, and vaccination becomes less effective. Dr Martin Turner, Head of the Immunology programme, talks about why a deeper understanding of the immune system is key to lifelong health and why—after almost 30 years at the Institute—the programme’s research continues to excite.

20/05/2025

Diet, DNA and destiny

This feature was written by Becky Allen for the 2023-2024 Institute Review.

For some, living longer brings opportunities, but for others it heralds ill health. Ameliorating deficits in healthspan requires deeper understanding of the complex changes in biological functions that lead to ageing. Dr Gavin Kelsey, Head of the Epigenetics programme, talks about the programme’s science, ambitions for the next four years, and shares a small secret about what helps fuel his research.

20/05/2025

Director to director: Becoming Babraham

This feature was developed by Louisa Wood from a conversation between Simon Cook and Richard Dyer to mark the 30th anniversary of the naming of the Babraham Institute and published in the 2023-2024 Institute Review.

Thirty years on from the Institute’s official renaming, former director Richard Dyer (1994-2005) and current director Simon Cook reflect on shared history, the essence of Babraham and where another thirty years might take us.