Working together to translate research into better health

Welcome

The Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science (IMS) is a purpose built centre on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus dedicated to research, education, prevention and clinical care in the areas of obesity, diabetes and related diseases, all of which are major and increasing threats to public health, both in the UK and worldwide.

The IMS is made up of:

The Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories	The MRC Epidemiology Unit
The Weston Centre	The Wolfson Diabetes and Endocrine Clinic

Almost a quarter of all adults and one in five children in the UK are considered obese, and these numbers continue to increase. Obesity significantly increases the risk of developing life-threatening conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, osteoarticular and reproductive diseases, reducing both quality of life and life expectancy of affected individuals as well as adding significantly to healthcare costs.

Led by Professor Sir Stephen O’Rahilly and Professor Nick Wareham, the goal of the IMS is to promote world-leading research by bringing together clinicians, laboratory and clinical scientists and epidemiologists to forge the multidisciplinary links that will improve understanding of the causes and consequences of these conditions and allow advances in basic science to be rapidly applied to improving patient care and disease prevention.

The IMS provides:

A first-class clinical service for patients
State-of-the-art facilities for laboratory science, clinical and epidemiological research
An integrated environment that promotes cross-fertilization of ideas between clinicians, laboratory scientists and clinical scientists
Outstanding training opportunities for both scientists and clinicians
The opportunity for rapid, effective ‘translation’ of fundamental advances in scientific and clinical research for patient benefit

The IMS is a joint venture between the University of Cambridge, The Medical Research Council (MRC), Cambridge University NHS Hospitals Trust and Wellcome.