Gurdon Institute Centre Renewal (360G-Wellcome-203144_Z_16_Z)

The Gurdon Institute focuses on several related topics at the interface between developmental biology and cancer: Cell division, proliferation and genome maintenance; Function and regulation of the genome and epigenome; Mechanisms of cell fate determination, multipotency and plasticity; The cell biology of organ development and function. We investigate these areas in both normal development and cancer using several model systems, with an increasing emphasis on organoids. Our five-year vision is to expand our research in two strategic directions: Human development and disease We will study the development and homeostasis of tissues and organs using human organoid systems. We will also develop new models of human diseases, including cancer, using organoids and patient-derived stem cells. Quantitative analysis of cellular dynamics We will analyse developmental and disease processes quantitatively at the molecular, cellular and tissue scales, using next generation sequencing and imaging approaches. We will also increase our collaborations with physical scientists expert in analysing the complex datasets generated by these approaches. We plan to continue to translate our research into new therapies. This will be enhanced by the establishment of the Milner Institute, which will provide a platform for collaborations with pharmaceutical companies on disease models emerging from our research.