The University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge (360G-Wellcome-208363_Z_17_A)

Since 2013, the University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories (MRL) has developed into a world-leading centre for basic and applied research in obesity and related metabolic disease. Underpinning funding from Wellcome, which has provided new clinical research facilities and other crucial core support, has been central to this success. Importantly, this endeavour has been undertaken in partnership with the MRC, who have funded a new Unit, the Metabolic Diseases Unit (MDU), which is embedded in the MRL. The MRL, together with the MRC Epidemiology Unit (Dir. Wareham) and cognate clinical facilities, form the Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science (IMS) which operates seamlessly from basic science through to population science, translational research and delivery of ambulatory care within a single co-ordinated institute. The current bid is focused on further developing world-class metabolic research within the MRL through core support for clinical and animal model research as well as underpinning laboratory science at an internationally leading level. Given the centrality of bioinformatics to all contemporary biomedical research, we have placed a particular emphasis on development of this area for the next phase of our evolution.