The Babraham Institute

The Babraham Institute Life sciences research for lifelong health

The Babraham Institute evolved from the pre-existing Institute of Animal Physiology, established during the immediate post-war years to study animal physiology with the aim of improving the efficiency of food production. In 1993, the Babraham Institute phased out research on agricultural animals and its major focus shifted to understanding the biology underpinning development and lifelong health.

The Institute has a history of research excellence including the pivotal discoveries of liposomes in the 1960s, and of genomic imprinting in mammals in the 1980s. Pioneering work in the 1980s and 1990s on PI3-kinase enzymes and signalling pathways and its continuation at the Institute today has led to long-term commercial collaborations and global impact in terms of understanding cell growth and survival. This has included the development of the PI3K delta inhibitor drug Idelalisib (Zydelig) as a treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. The discovery of global epigenetic reprogramming in mammalian development has resulted in new approaches to stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.

The Babraham Institute

There are approximately 330 staff working in the Institute, including 23 research group leaders.

The Institute holds a silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advancing the representation of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and has its own equality and diversity programme to ensure an inclusive and diverse culture.