Babraham's scientists aim to understand how normal cellular processes operate and change during development and with age, and when they can go wrong in disease. These are amongst the most difficult scientific questions to answer. Our scientists share the common scientific strategy of defining underlying mechanisms of cell signalling and gene regulation within a functional context. We focus on important processes in early development and key functions in the brain, heart and immune systems. This synergy ensures that our world class scientists can make the most of their research, exploiting the new opportunities for discovery provided by the science of genomics. The Institute's research effort underpins the overall healthcare responsibility of the BBSRC, our main sponsor, and aims to provide novel targets for the development of therapies and diagnostics of potential social and economic benefit.

The Laboratories of:

• Developmental Genetics and Imprinting
• Developmental Immunology
• Chromatin and Gene Expression
  

Research into the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms involved in gene regulation during development and the phenotypic action of these genes in specific systems.

The Laboratories of:

• Lymphocyte signalling and development
• Functional Immunogenetics
  

Research into the molecular and biochemical mechanisms involved in signalling and development in the immune system.

The Laboratories of:

• Neuronal Development and Survival
• Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience
• Molecular Neuroscience
  

Research into the key genetic and cellular signalling events involved in the brain's control of cognitive and reproductive functions at behavioural and systems levels.

• The Laboratory of Molecular Signalling
  
• The Inositide Laboratory
  

Research into the molecular and biochemical mechanisms behind major signalling pathways including fertilisation, cell proliferation, inflammation and cardiac contraction.