Cambridge Stem Cell Institute

Stem and progenitor cells are essential for the maintenance of metazoan tissues. Their dysfunction underlies diverse human diseases and their manipulation provides enormous therapeutic possibilities. The Cambridge Stem Cell Institute (CSCI) is a world-leading centre for stem cell research. Its mission is to transform the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease through a deep understanding of the mechanisms regulating stem and progenitor cells, both normal and pathological. In 2018 CSCI investigators will come together in a new purpose-built building on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus adjacent to Addenbrookes Hospital. A key strategy is to embed biological, clinical and physical scientists operating across disparate tissues and at multiple scales, thus allowing commonalities and differences to be explored in an cohesive and inter-disciplinary manner. A network of affiliated PIs will provide bridges to basic and disease-focused institutes throughout Cambridge and will ensure that CSCI represents the heart of a vibrant stem cell community. Importantly a critical mass of clinician scientists will create synergistic interactions between basic scientists and those driven by disease-focused questions, thus ensuring that CSCI is fully integrated with its clinical environment and empowered to pursue its translational goals.