Director's foreword

Shot of Bruce Ponder in his office at the Cambridge Research Institute The Cambridge Research Institute focuses on the application of high-quality basic research for the practical benefit of patients.

The CRI has already attracted international attention for the quality of our recruitment, and for our research strategy and portfolio which integrates laboratory science and clinical medicine - crucial interactions with chemistry, mathematics, engineering as well as the more usual disciplines based in biology, are key features of our approach. Truly novel ideas have already arisen out of these interfaces.

The Institute's multi-disciplinary approach to research has encouraged senior NHS management of Addenbrooke's Hospital (the University of Cambridge teaching hospital), along with Cancer Research UK to support fully the activities and efforts of the Institute.

My colleagues and I believe that we are on the cusp of something really special in Cambridge. Many people, including major funders and the local community, share our enthusiasm.

I hope that this website will give you a taste of the high quality and the breadth of research that is being undertaken at the Cambridge Research Institute.

Bruce Ponder
Director, Cambridge Research Institute and
Li Ka Shing Professor of Oncology, University of Cambridge