Research centres

Our three research centres provide focused environments for interdisciplinary research, collaboration and training to strengthen our core research areas and to nurture opportunities for commercial and clinical translation.

MRC Centre for Developmental and Biomedical Genetics (CDBG)

The centre was awarded MRC Centre status in 2007 and brings together developmental geneticists with clinician scientists, creating a focus of expertise in the development of non-mammalian animal models of human disease with the aim of stimulating the translation of findings from model systems to the development of novel therapies and clinical practice. Researchers develop genetic models for drug screening and for studying the molecular and cellular bases of neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal diseases and cancer.

Acting Director: Professor Marysia Placzek

Centre for Stem Cell Biology (CSCB)

The CSCB was the first UK laboratory to undertake research on human embryonic stem cells and its research and discoveries are now central to developing clinical applications for pluripotent stem cells in regenerative medicine. It plays a major role in training scientists in this dynamic field, as well as hosting a number of commercial and academic partnerships, and complements the overall strength in Developmental Biology and Medicine at the University of Sheffield.

Co-directors: Professor Peter Andrews and Professor Harry Moore

Centre for Membrane Interactions and Dynamics (CMIAD)

Founded in 2012, CMIAD comprises members from several departments at the University of Sheffield. The centre brings together cell biologists with expertise in membrane traffic and the cytoskeleton to work alongside physicists, chemists, computational biologists and clinicians. The aim is to understand how membrane dynamics contribute to the healthy organism and how this knowledge may be translated into improved therapies to treat diseases.

Director: Professor Elizabeth Smythe