About the Department

Where are we?

The University of Cambridge Department of Clinical Biochemistry is located on the Addenbrooke's Hospital site, with laboratories in the newly built Metabolic Research Labs of the Institute of Metabolic Science as well as in the nearby Cambridge Institute for Medical Research. Additional laboratories are based in the main hospital building adjacent to the NHS Department of Clinical Biochemistry. The Head of Department is Professor Stephen O'Rahilly, FRS.

Our mission has three components

• To conduct high quality biomedical research

• To provide education in medical aspects of biochemistry to undergraduate scientists and medical students and to provide post-graduate education, largely through the supervision of PhD students.

• To make an active contribution to the clinical activities of our sister NHS Department through activities ranging from assay development to direct patient care

In recent years the research interests of the Department have focused on two general areas:

• Diabetes, obesity and other related endocrine and metabolic disorders

• Molecular cell biology of membrane traffic pathways

In both of these areas the Department has developed and sustained a high international reputation.

The Department has an annual research grant income of over £5,000,000, including several program grants from the MRC and Wellcome Trust and substantial support from industry. There is a strong commitment to progressing the careers of younger scientists, and at present no fewer than 12 of the group leaders hold independent Research Fellowships.

The Department is very active in the training of science and medical graduates.  Please follow this link for PhD opportunites within the Department.  We also contribute to post-graduate teaching in Clinical Medicine and undergraduate lecture courses in Natural and Medical Sciences.

As a training environment, the Department provides expertise in a wide range of molecular and cellular techniques for the study of mammalian biology in health and disease. This includes cellular imaging and electrophysiology. Core facilities and expertise in integrative whole-organism physiology, applicable to human and animal models, have recently been firmly established. The Department is one of the major users of the Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility.

The Department is actively engaged in educational efforts with the local community and with attempts to enhance the public understanding of science through contributions to broadcast and print media.

Clinical Activity

The University department is integrated under a single head with the National Health Service Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, which provides a diagnostic service in Clinical Biochemistry for the patients of the Addenbrooke's NHS Trust and local GPs, performing over two million tests per year. There is very close liaison between the University and NHS in the development of new diagnostic tests. Clinically qualified members of the University Department contribute directly to patient care in diabetes, endocrinology, obesity and lipid clinics.