Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories (IMS-MRL)
We offer a world class environment for research in obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
We pride ourselves in being a vibrant and inclusive community. We work towards a common goal of improving the lives of those living with obesity and related conditions and strive to prevent these major health challenges of the 21st century - Professor Susan Ozanne, Director of the IMS-MRL and Head of the Department of Clinical Biochemistry (December 2024).
We are dedicated to understanding the mechanisms responsible for obesity and related metabolic diseases. We aim to have high quality basic science and clinical research to improve understanding and develop interventions, to prevent and treat these conditions.
Our scientists work across the full spectrum of experimental approaches including:
- cell biology
- genetics
- functional genomics
- electrophysiology
- animal models
- basic and human neuroscience
- experimental medicine
A major aim of the Institute is to facilitate cross-disciplinary interactions between basic and clinical scientists to maximise the impact of our research and improve the quality of patient care.
Our investigators range from basic scientists researching the fundamental aspects of cellular metabolism to clinical neuro-scientists investigating human appetitive behaviour.
With our embedded MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, we are dedicated to understanding the mechanisms responsible for obesity and related metabolic diseases. We aim to have high quality basic science and clinical research to improve understanding and develop interventions, to prevent and treat these conditions.
Together, this creates a wide range of basic, clinical and translational research expertise. We offer an enriching research environment that benefits from established links with research institutes such as:
We benefit from a Wellcome Discovery Research Platform, and also excellent core facilities which support not just researchers at our institute but across the Cambridge biomedical campus.
Our institute, the MRC Epidemiology Unit, Weston Centre and Wolfson Clinic together make up the Institute of Metabolic Science.
Study with us
Training postgraduate students for a scientific career is our priority.
We have a mixture of both basic science students and clinical trainees and aim to provide everyone with a supportive, stimulating research and learning environment. We place a big emphasis on research culture and well-being.
We offer:
Patient and public engagement
Our programme gives us valuable feedback, helping us keep our research aligned with public needs and reminds us of the impact behind our work.
Our research themes
Through the embedded MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit (MRC-MDU), our main research programmes are:
- Mechanisms in disorders of energy balance and body composition
- Adipose tissue dysfunction and lipotoxicity: Uncoupling obesity from associated metabolic comorbidities
- Neurophysiology of gut hormones
- Feto-maternal communication and the developmental programming of metabolic disease
- Nutrient sensing in the brain
Our MDU is funded by The Medical Research Council and together with funding from Wellcome and NIHR BRC also supports key core facilities within the IMS that underpin much of the science of the Unit and Institute.
Our department
Our department is made up of:
- Principal Investigators
- Early Career Investigators
- Post-doctoral researchers
- PhD and MPhil graduate students
- Research operations professionals
- Admin and facilities team
We have a number of Affiliated Principal Investigators who are scientists working in the broader local biomedical community who have a long term scientific relationship with us.
Our core facilities support our science by providing access to state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and novel scientific techniques.
Get in touch
Visit or contact us
Visit us
IMS MRL
University of Cambridge
Level 4, Institute of Metabolic Science
Box 289 Addenbrooke’s Hospital
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
Tel: +44 1223 336792
