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Institute Review Report

A human embryo (14 day post fertilisation) in vitro implanted on a tissue-engineered endometrial scaffold.

Our 2023-2024 Review report presents a summary of highlights, performance and achievements, celebrating the contributions our community has made to advancing our understanding of human biology and communicating and translating these findings to researchers, industry and the public.

Our 2023-2024 Review report presents a summary of highlights, performance and achievements, celebrating the contributions our community has made to advancing our understanding of human biology and communicating and translating these findings to researchers, industry and the public.

As described in the Director’s welcome, 2023-2024 were milestone years. A key focus of 2023 was the Institute’s quinquennial review by our strategic funder BBSRC. After shaping our research focus over the next four years, research programme leads share their perspectives on the work ahead as research features, while summarising the current work ongoing in their respective research programmes in their research updates.

Additional spotlight features also introduce new faces to the Institute, such as Professor Kai-Michael Toellner, and reflect the rising prominence of a research focus on proteostasis and how the Institute is catalysing the development of a UK-wide network of researchers working on proteostasis across disciplines. The transformation of the Institute’s approach to public engagement is presented and a special moment is captured when former Director Richard Dyer reflects on Babraham past and present with Simon Cook.

You can browse the 2023-2024 report in the sections set out in Explore the 2023-2024 Review, explore the full document using the reader below or download the PDF version in full. The downloadable pdf file includes the following accessibility features: alternative text for images and symbols, auto tagging, and a manually curated reading order to ensure that screen readers follow a logical reading order. If you have any questions about the report or feedback on how the accessibility of the report can be improved, please contact comms@babraham.ac.uk.

 

in this section

Explore the 2023-2024 Review Institute 2021-2022 Review Annual Research Report 2019-2020 Annual Research Report 2018 Annual Research Report 2017 Annual Research Report 2016

Research features from the 2023-2024 Review Report

Abstract 3D illustration of amino acids with colour gradient.

The rise and rise of proteostasis

Proteostasis, the myriad mechanisms that ensure our proteins work correctly, is key to healthy ageing. We speak to Dr Della David and Dr Rahul Samant about their cutting-edge research, why proteostasis is such a growing area of strength at the Institute, and how the new UK Proteostasis Network will help accelerate research in the field.

Diagonal arrangements of a variety of tools on a yellow background.

Opening up the research toolkit

In 2024, Professor Kai-Michael Toellner joined the Institute’s Immunology programme after 30 years at the University of Birmingham’s Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy. We find out what drew him from the UK’s second-largest city to the Babraham Research Campus, the pressing questions he wants to answer, and why it’s vital we understand more about how our immune system works.

School students gaining experience of real-life lab research during Schools’ Day.

Enthuse, excite, inspire

In 2024 the Institute’s Schools’ Day celebrated its 30th birthday. To mark this milestone, Dr Peter Rugg-Gunn, head of public engagement and Dr Mike Norman, public engagement manager reflect on the changing face of public engagement, the Institute’s new public engagement strategy and why being a leader in public engagement is a vital component of the Institute’s world-class science.

Simon Cook in the lab

Adapting to change and challenge

Understanding how things work underpins the Institute’s past, present and future. Dr Simon Cook, Institute Director and head of the Signalling programme, explains why he’s an evangelist for discovery research, how this quest for understanding is reflected in the Institute’s science, its people and the ecosystem of the Babraham Research Campus, and looks ahead to the next four years’ work.

Two columns of coloured buttons featuring shield motifs. To the left and right of the central buttons are graduated marks, with two white arrows pointing at different levels in each column: at the highest ‘green’ level for the right row of buttons and to the mid ‘amber’ level for the left row of buttons.

Immunology, interactions and interplay

As we age, our bodies become more prone to infection and disease, and vaccination becomes less effective. Dr Martin Turner, Head of the Immunology programme, talks about why a deeper understanding of the immune system is key to lifelong health and why—after almost 30 years at the Institute—the programme’s research continues to excite.

A sound mixing desk featuring sliders, buttons, switches and lights.

Diet, DNA and destiny

For some, living longer brings opportunities, but for others it heralds ill health. Ameliorating deficits in healthspan requires deeper understanding of the complex changes in biological functions that lead to ageing. Dr Gavin Kelsey, Head of the Epigenetics programme, talks about the programme’s science, ambitions for the next four years, and shares a small secret about what helps fuel his research.

Special anniversary feature - Director to director: Becoming Babraham

Thirty years on from the Institute’s official renaming, former director Richard Dyer (1994-2005) and current director Simon Cook reflect on shared history, the essence of Babraham and where another thirty years might take us.

Top row left: Aerial photograph of the Babraham Research Campus in recent times. Top row right: Aerial photograph of the Babraham Research Campus in 1999. Bottom row left: Richard Dyer in 2000. Bottom row right: Simon Cook and Richard Dyer together.

in this section

Explore the 2023-2024 Review Institute 2021-2022 Review Annual Research Report 2019-2020 Annual Research Report 2018 Annual Research Report 2017 Annual Research Report 2016