Academic partnerships

We actively collaborate with colleagues in other University of Cambridge departments, research units, and affiliated institutes, as well as with leading national and international universities.

Through these academic partnerships, we combine expertise in medicine, genomics, data science, engineering, and social science to advance multidisciplinary research. Together, we work to address complex global health challenges from infectious diseases and anaesthesia to cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.

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Key academic partners

MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology

Located at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is a world-class research laboratory and one of the birthplaces of modern molecular biology. It is dedicated to understanding important biological processes at the molecular level – with the goal of using this knowledge to tackle major problems in human health and disease.

Over the years, the work of LMB scientists has attracted 12 Nobel prizes, dozens of Royal Society awards and numerous other scientific honours, generating over £700 million of commercial income to help support UK science.

NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre

The NIHR Cambridge BRC is part of the NIHR and hosted by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with the University of Cambridge.

They bring together the expertise and resources of both partners to support ‘translational research’ – research that builds on scientific discoveries, turning them into new ways to detect, diagnose, treat and ultimately prevent disease.

COVID-19 Genomics UK

The COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK) Consortium was been created to deliver large-scale and rapid whole-genome virus sequencing to local NHS centres and the UK government. Its data helped Public Health Agencies to manage the COVID-19 outbreak in the UK and inform vaccine research efforts.

Cambridge is among its 17 academic partner institutions who provided sequencing and analysis capacity. It was led by Professor Sharon Peacock, Professor of Public Health & Microbiology at Cambridge's Department of Medicine.

Wellcome Sanger Institute

The Wellcome Sanger Institute is a world leading genomics institute at the forefront of experimental, computational and translational genomic research. They use genome sequences to advance understanding of the biology of humans and pathogens to improve human health, and to explore the diversity of complex organisms.

In January 2026, our Professor Muzlifah “Muzz” Haniffa will become Deputy Chief Executive and Institute Director at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, in addition to her current role as Head of the Cellular Genomics Programme.

University of Hong Kong (HKU)

Founded in 1911, HKU is the first and oldest institution of higher education in Hong Kong, ranked 1st in Asia and 11th in the world according to QS University Rankings.

We have established strong collaborations with the University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine (HKUMed), which is well-known as a pioneer in medical education, training and research, while proudly upholding a reputation for morality, vision and care.

International Vaccine Institute (IVI)

The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) is a treaty-based international organization established in 1997 with a not-for-profit mission to discover, develop, and deliver safe, effective, and affordable vaccines—empowering vaccine equity, impact, and sustainability globally.

Our member states and network of partners across companies, foundations, universities, laboratories, and other non-profit organizations represent one of the world’s strongest multilateral coalitions committed to harnessing the unique power of vaccines to tackle poverty-associated infectious diseases and emerging global health threats.

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Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute (HKJC-GHI)

HKJC-GHI is new international partnership between CITIID/University of Cambridge, the University of Hong Kong (HKU), and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) in Seoul. Established in March 2024, with the generous support of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the institute aims to enhance global preparedness for future pandemics by advancing vaccine research, development, and implementation. It is co-directed by Professor Ravi Gupta, Chair in Global Health at CITIID, University of Cambridge.

Strategic partnerships within Cambridge

Cambridge Institute for Medical Research

CIMR research links molecules, mechanisms and medicine by using insights from fundamental biology to inform understanding of human disease and vice versa. CIMR has three disease areas of focus: rare genetic disease, neurological disease and intracellular infections.

Their collective expertise covers fundamental science, clinical knowledge, and success in drug discovery. Since its foundation in 1998, 13 of CIMR’s leading scientists were honoured with election as Fellows of the Royal Society.

Cambridge Stem Cell Institute

The Cambridge Stem Cell Institute is a world-leading centre for stem cell research with a mission to transform human health through a deep understanding of stem cell biology. Their scientists study stem cell behaviour, both normal and pathological, and use their findings to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

Since 2019, our investigators have been together under one roof in the purpose-built Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre building on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. The Institute brings together different disciplines, operating across many tissues and at multiple scales. This unique set up allows commonalities and differences in stem cell biology to be explored in a cohesive and inter-disciplinary manner.

School of the Biological Sciences

The School of the Biological Sciences is home to animal, human, plant and microbial science at the University of Cambridge. Their research has impacts on health and disease across species, agriculture, conservation and the environment as well as on the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries with direct translational relevance to the clinic and the bioeconomy.

The students and Faculty from the School of Biological Sciences and the School of Clinical Medicine collaborate closely together to produce groundbreaking research and interdisciplinary networking across School boundaries.

Our networks

In addition to the ongoing activities, we are part of several Strategic Research Initiatives & Networks and Interdisciplinary Research Centres which build on the existing research base in Cambridge to tackle challenges that can only be addressed by multi-disciplinary teams of researchers. Our aim is to provide academic leadership in these areas and to develop strategic partnerships around the world to advance research, and the impact of that research, in these fields.

Cambridge Immunology Network

Bringing together the community of immunologists working in and around Cambridge, whose work ranges from discovery of the basic molecular mechanisms underpinning the immune response through to applications relevant to the clinic, to industry and to global health.

It is led by a steering committee of academics from the University of Cambridge, CRUK Cambridge Institute, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, and The Babraham Institute.

Cambridge Cardiovascular

Harnessing excellence in multi-disciplinary cardiovascular research and clinical services to deliver improved therapies, disease management, healthcare and preventive strategies. It is led by Prof Martin Bennett and Prof James Rudd with guidance from spanning the Schools of Clinical Medicine, Biological Sciences, Humanities & Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Technology.

Cambridge Infectious Diseases

Promoting programmes of research collaboration and capacity building to meet the challenges of infectious diseases in both developed and developing countries, with particular emphasis on global health. It is led by two Co-Chairs (James Wood and Andres Floto), who work closely with the CID manager (Maria Bargues-Ribera).

Case studies

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Professor Sharon Peacock, Executive Director and Chair at COG-UK, and a Professor of Public Health and Microbiology in the Department of Medicine at the University of Cambridge (credit: Nick Saffell)

Hunting for COVID-19 variants

In early March 2020, Professor Sharon Peacock initiated and led the development of the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium (COG-UK). As of June 2021, COG-UK had generated over 500,000 SARS-CoV-2 genomes, made available globally through open access databases, which are being used actively in public health decisions. This unprecedented effort – not previously performed for any pathogen, anywhere in the world – has placed the UK at the forefront of pathogen genomics.

Explore more

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Illustration of erythrocytes streaming in blood plasma inside a vessel (credit: fpm/iStock)

Vasculitis: improved outcome for patients

Cambridge-led trials spanning two decades have tested and led to the use of alternative, less-toxic maintenance treatments for anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody associated vasculitis (AAV). The results of the Cambridge-led PEXIVAS Study in 2020 led to an immediate change in practice, with physicians reducing steroid dose more rapidly across the NHS. Insights from this research have been incorporated into guidelines, the UK’s National Health System policy and healthcare provision for patients, and produced annual health-cost savings in the UK of £45 million.