Gurdon Institute Centre Extension (360G-Wellcome-203144_A_16_Z)

Our vision is to understand the fundamental mechanisms of normal development, to determine how these mechanisms are subverted in cancer and other diseases, and to apply this knowledge to develop new therapies. Our research themes focus on: cell proliferation and genome maintenance; function and regulation of the genome and epigenome; mechanisms of cell fate determination, multipotency and plasticity; and the cell biology of organ development and function. We also emphasize two strategic directions: (i) human development and disease and (ii) quantitative analysis of cellular dynamics, to understand developmental and disease processes quantitatively at the molecular, cellular and tissue scales. We investigate both normal development and disease in a range of in vivo model systems, as well as primary human tissues, organoid systems, and patient-derived stem cells. Extension funding would allow us to further progress our overall scientific vision, our strategic areas of human development and quantitative approaches, our work on in vivo models of disease, and the translation of our research. It would also support our ambitious public engagement programme, enable continuation and development of our training activities, and underpin our efforts towards and commitment to a positive and inclusive research culture.