Imperial College forms new Institute of Chemical Biology

Imperial College’s Chemical Biology Centre has been reconstituted as the Institute of Chemical Biology (ICB), joining other cross-faculty institutes that have the task of bridging research activity in the different faculties and departments within Imperial.

The new Institute’s mission is to develop and foster links between physical and life scientists, engineers and clinicians, to develop novel tools and techniques for use in biological and biomedical sciences.

David Klug, co-chair of the ICB, said, “Many of the tools and technologies supported by the Institute are unique to Imperial College London. This successful combination of physical sciences and engineering push with biological and biomedical pull gives us a real edge in this highly competitive area.”

“Our elevation to become an Institute is a reflection of the maturity of the ICB community and the significant progress made by its contributing research teams. This allows us to build on what we have created and start to translate some of the breakthroughs for the benefit of the wider community.”

The Institute’s activities have to date attracted over £35 million in research funding. It has a research focus in molecular post-genomic science and technologies. This includes new tools for discovering biomarkers and developing new drug delivery systems. Its cross-disciplinary approach draws together a dynamic network of scientists from over 70 research groups.

Support for multidisciplinary postgraduate training is one of the most important priorities of the Institute, with its Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) training postgraduate researchers to work at the interface of the physical and life sciences and producing researchers with expertise and understanding that spans both fields. Supporting this aim, every student in the centre has two supervisors, one from the physical sciences and one from the life sciences.