Research

The NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) harnesses the scientific power of Imperial College London, the only UK University devoted wholly to science, engineering, business and medicine, and the UK’s largest group of research-intensive hospitals Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. The aim of this partnership is to rapidly translate scientific discoveries into the clinic, through our five hospitals which serve an ethnically diverse population of 2.3 million people in North-West London. Our activities are focused on developing new devices, diagnostics, new therapies and in analysing and integrating health data.

The BRC supports the infrastructure to promote and facilitate the flow of research from laboratory bench to patient bedside as effectively and efficiently as possible. It provides an environment in which scientific endeavour can thrive, attracts talented investigators from across the globe, and produces world-class outputs, contributing to the UK’s international competitiveness as a major component of our knowledge economy.

The BRC drives innovation in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of ill-health by funding and supporting people- or patient-focused early translational research. Our work is split into fourteen Research Themes, each of which represents a substantial portfolio of internationally excellent experimental medicine research, in areas of unmet clinical need.

The  14 Themes are linked by four common threads:

  • Early diagnosis – developing new tests and improving current testing to speed up diagnosis and allow earlier
    treatment
  • Precision medicine – tailoring treatment to a patient’s specific needs to improve outcomes
  • Digital health – using computer technology to provide clinicians with more accurate information for better treatment
    and allow patients to manage their health
  • Convergence science – bringing different scientific fields together to provide new perspectives and solve complex
    health research challenges

The BRC also invests in cutting-edge technology platforms, as well as other core facilities, NHS support units, and training of the next generation of clinical academics.

The BRC is the engine of our Academic Health Science Centre (AHSC), creating a vibrant pipeline of high-quality early translational research – new devices, diagnostics, therapeutics and data-driven healthcare research.

Clinical trials infographic
Clinical trials infographic
Key Individuals
  • Dr Nichola Cooper
    Dr Nichola Cooper
    Theme Lead, Immunology
  • Erik Mayer
    Erik Mayer
    Director iCARE & Clinical Reader, Department of Surgery & Cancer
  • Professor Iain McNeish
    Professor Iain McNeish
    Professor of Oncology and Head of Division of Cancer - Co-Theme Lead
  • Professor Jonathan Weber
    Professor Jonathan Weber
    Dean, Faculty of Medicine
  • Professor Mark Thursz
    Professor Mark Thursz
    NIHR Imperial BRC Director
  • Professor Waljit Dhillo
    Professor Waljit Dhillo
    Theme Lead & NIHR Imperial BRC Training Lead
  • Dr Bob Klaber
    Dr Bob Klaber
    Director of strategy, research and innovation
  • Dr Lucia Li
    Dr Lucia Li
    NIHR Clinical Lecturer (Neurology)
  • Dr Stephen Brett
    Dr Stephen Brett
    Reader in Critical Care
  • Mr Christopher Peters
    Mr Christopher Peters
  • Prof Christina Fotopoulou
    Prof Christina Fotopoulou
    Consultant gynaecological oncologist
  • Prof Mary Wells
    Prof Mary Wells
    Professor and Lead for Nursing and Midwifery - Theme Committee Member
  • Professor Anthony Gordon
    Professor Anthony Gordon
    Chair in Anaesthesia and Critical Care
  • Professor Elaine Holmes
    Professor Elaine Holmes
  • Professor Eric Aboagye
    Professor Eric Aboagye
    Professor
  • Professor Jane Apperley
    Professor Jane Apperley
    Chair of the Department of Haematology
  • Professor Jorge Ferrer
    Professor Jorge Ferrer
    Chair in Medicine and Genetics
  • Professor Marina Botto
    Professor Marina Botto
    Professor of Rheumatology
  • Professor Martin Wilkins
    Professor Martin Wilkins
    Vice Dean (Research) Faculty of Medicine
  • Professor Paul Elliott
    Professor Paul Elliott
    Theme Lead, Informatics & Biobanking
  • Professor Paul Matthews
    Professor Paul Matthews
    Edmond and Lily Safra Chair, Head of Department
  • Professor Peter Openshaw
    Professor Peter Openshaw
    Professor of Experimental Medicine
  • Professor Sian Harding
    Professor Sian Harding
    Emeritus Professor of Cardiac Pharmacology
  • Professor Sir Steve Bloom
    Professor Sir Steve Bloom
    Professor of Medicine
  • Professor The Lord Ara Darzi
    Professor The Lord Ara Darzi
    Paul Hamlyn Chair of Surgery
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