The Unit
The Institute of Metabolic Science
The MRC Epidemiology Unit is part of the Institute of Metabolic Science (IMS).
The Institute of Metabolic Science is dedicated to research, education, prevention and clinical care in the areas of diabetes, obesity and related metabolic and endocrine (hormone) diseases. All of these diseases are major and increasing threats to public health worldwide.
The Institute of Metabolic Science building
The IMS is a partnership between the University of Cambridge, the Medical Research Council (MRC) and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The co-directors are Professors Stephen O'Rahilly and Nick Wareham.
The IMS is a purpose-built facility on the Addenbrooke’s Biomedical Campus containing:
- MRC Epidemiology Unit: use epidemiological methods to study the causes and prevention of obesity and type 2 diabetes
- Metabolic Research Laboratories (MRL) of the University of Cambridge: carry out laboratory and clinical research into a range of metabolic and endocrine diseases. The MRL also contains the MRC Centre for Translational Research in Obesity and related Metabolic Diseases
- Clinical Care Centre: provides state of the art facilities for the treatment of people of all ages with diabetes obesity and related metabolic and endocrine disorders.
A major function of the IMS is to encourage interaction between patients, scientists and clinicians. This maximises the impact of our research into the prevention and treatment of these diseases and improves the quality of care delivered to patients.
