About
Vision and governance of the Institute of Genetics and Cancer at the University of Edinburgh.
Vision
"The joint mission of the three centres in the Institute of Genetics and Cancer is to understand development and disease by using the latest approaches in genetic, genomic, cellular and clinical science. Our focus is on research into human genetics and cancer, and on training the next generation in an outstanding environment for basic discovery science and translation."
Professor Margaret Frame FRSE FMedSci, Director of the Institute of Genetics and Cancer at the University of Edinburgh
The Institute of Genetics and Cancer at the University of Edinburgh, formed in 2007 and formerly known as the Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, is a strategic partnership of the:
- MRC Human Genetics Unit (MRC HGU)
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre (CRUK EC)
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine (CGEM).
The Institute constitutes one of the largest aggregates of human molecular genetics and biology research capacity in the UK with over 70 Principal Investigators and 500 staff and PhD students. By pooling the resources and complementary skills of the constituent centres, the Institute brings together the scientific expertise, technology and support services needed to maximise scientific discovery.
The Institute enables rapid translation of basic scientific discoveries into new treatments, clinical guidelines and innovative products that have significant impact on the society in the UK and Worldwide.
Governance
The Institute constitutes an integral part of the University of Edinburgh and its activity is overviewed by the Institute Director (Professor Margaret Frame), who is supported by the Institute Executive Group to ensure the effective management and oversight of the Institute:
Executive Group
Meets monthly and monitors the delivery of strategic plans and oversees the day-to-day management of the Institute.
| Membership: | |
|---|---|
| Margaret Frame | as Director, Institute of Genetics and Cancer |
| Wendy Bickmore | as Director, MRC Human Genetics Unit |
| Charlie Gourley | as Director, CRUK Edinburgh Centre |
| Tim Aitman | as Director, Centre for Genomic & Experimental Medicine |
| Angela Ingram | Operations Manager |
| Stephen Lissaman | Business Manager |
The Executive Group is supported by a number of sub-committees as shown in the Institute of Genetics and Cancer Governance chart.
Major Funders
In addition, Institute of Genetics and Cancer research is rigorously assessed by its major funders:
- Cancer Research UK, with the CRUK Edinburgh Centre reconfirming its CRUK Centre status at the 2017 review and receiving the CRUK Brain Tumour Centre of Excellence award in 2018
- Medical Research Council, with the MRC Human Genetics Unit scoring 9/10 at its most recent Quinquennial Review
- Scottish Higher Education Funding Council, with the Institute contributing hugely to the University’s submission to Unit of Assessment 1 (Clinical Medicine) in the most recent national assessment of research excellence (REF 2014; 4th equal (research power)). The papers submitted by the Institute researchers were predominantly 4*, and all were 3* or 4*.