Discovery Without Boundaries

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DISCOVERY WITHOUT BOUNDARIES Strategic Plan Summary 2013 The Francis Crick Institute is an exciting project to create a world-leading multi-disciplinary biomedical research institute at the heart of our London. The institute has been named in honour of British scientist Francis Crick, who was jointly vision awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of the structure of DNA in 1953.

The project is supported by six of the world’s most influential and To discover the biology We are: respected scientific organisations: Cancer Research UK; the Medical underlying human health, Research Council (MRC); the Wellcome Trust; UCL (University College Bold London); Imperial College London and King’s College London. improving the treatment, We support ground-breaking discovery diagnosis and prevention The Crick will bring together two existing world-class research institutes science, pursue excellence on the − Cancer Research UK’s London Research Institute (LRI) and the MRC of human disease and international stage, and are not National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) − enabling scientists from generating economic afraid to do things differently. these two organisations to work under one roof alongside colleagues from the three university founders and new recruits funded by the Wellcome opportunities for the UK. Imaginative Trust and others. By pooling this collective knowledge and expertise, We take a long-term view, encourage The Francis Crick Institute will be a new we expect to achieve quicker and more profound advances in our creative approaches, and explore and distinctive medical research institute. understanding of health and disease. connections between disciplines. Opening in 2015, the institute will be located in London, but our vision is UK-wide, and relevant world-wide. Open Our work will help to understand We are permeable to outside talent why disease develops and to find new and ideas and committed to transparent ways to diagnose, prevent and treat science for the public good that meets a range of illnesses − such as cancer, the highest ethical, animal welfare heart disease and stroke, infections and and biosecurity standards. neurodegenerative diseases. We will bring together outstanding scientists from all Dynamic disciplines, carrying out research that will help improve the health and quality We continually develop and refresh of people’s lives, and keeping the UK our science, are open to pursuing new at the forefront of medical innovation. opportunities, and adaptable enough to change course quickly.

Collegial We mentor and support our staff, forge scientific connections in the UK and internationally and work with our founders and the public to support the development of the UK science and innovation ecosystem.

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opportunities for the UK. the for opportunities

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for his discovery of the structure of DNA in 1953. in DNA of structure the of discovery his for

awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine Medicine or Physiology in Prize Nobel the awarded

VISION of British scientist Francis Crick, who was jointly jointly was who Crick, Francis scientist British of

London. The institute has been named in honour honour in named been has institute The London.

biomedical research institute at the heart of of heart the at institute research biomedical OUR OUR

to create a world-leading multi-disciplinary multi-disciplinary world-leading a create to The Francis Crick Institute is an exciting project project exciting an is Institute Crick Francis The

OUR PRIORITIES

Pursue discovery Create future Collaborate creatively will maximise opportunities in all Engage and inspire without boundaries science leaders to advance UK science the areas identifi ed in this document: the public opportunities for scientifi c discovery, and innovation for world-class training, for translation The Crick will be one of the world’s The Crick will develop an approach to transform health and the economy, The Crick is committed to an open largest dedicated biomedical research to biomedical scientifi c training The Crick is a landmark partnership and for engagement with audiences culture where ideas can be tested centres, bringing together over 1200 and recruitment that refl ects our between the UK’s three largest funders outside science. and challenges shared to accelerate researchers from a range of disciplines commitment to research excellence, of biomedical research: the Medical the creation and use of knowledge. to discover the basic biology underlying dynamism and multi-disciplinary Research Council, Cancer Research UK This philosophy also extends to our human health and disease. High quality activity. Our career structure will be and the Wellcome Trust, and three of its Accelerate translation interactions with the local community science from the two parent institutes unusual, with the majority of group leading universities: UCL, Imperial for health and wealth and the wider public. The Crick’s size, National Institute of Medical Research leaders remaining at the institute for location and profi le will make us highly College and King’s College London. This (NIMR) and London Research Institute no more than 12 years before being visible and able to play an important represents an unprecedented joining of The Crick will conduct discovery (LRI) will provide an underpinning supported to fi nd scientifi c leadership role in generating excitement and forces to tackle major scientifi c problems science, oriented towards solving foundation for the Crick research positions elsewhere, with a strong interest in science, particularly through and generate solutions to the emerging human health challenges. Our portfolio. We will build substantially emphasis on UK institutions. our engagement and outreach activity health challenges of the 21st century. translation and innovation strategy on this, identifying and nurturing new with schools. will focus on maximising the value research opportunities and developing This process will help the Crick to fulfi l The partnership occurs in the context that can be generated from this science, strong synergies and novel scientifi c its national role by expanding the talent We also have an opportunity to help of a strong national commitment to life measured in terms of improvements interactions between our research pool for biomedical science across the promote health and wellbeing in the sciences research and innovation, in the lives of people in the UK groups at the Crick, the three university UK. This dynamic career structure and local area and across the country. refl ected in the government’s Strategy and internationally, and in new founders, and our other collaborators the associated staff turnover will allow for UK Life Sciences and associated economic opportunities. across the UK. the introduction of fresh knowledge plans to boost innovation uptake within To achieve these objectives, we and ideas to drive the development and will develop inspirational education, the National Health Service. The Crick We will explore opportunities for new Our intention is to develop a distinctive renewal of our scientifi c programmes. public and community engagement will bring together the very signifi cant and improved therapies, diagnosis and approach to biomedical research that programmes, backed by a community biomedical and physical science prevention strategies. In many cases, this fosters excellence, breaks down barriers of active research scientists who have strengths that exist within London, will be accompanied by opportunities to between disciplines, works across the skills, opportunity and desire to while fostering interaction with other form new and grow existing businesses; institutions and integrates knowledge engage people in their work. centres of excellence across the UK. boost the supply of highly skilled and gained from studies at different levels: mobile people across the UK economy; molecular, cellular, organ, whole We will actively develop and promote and develop other activities that organism and population. novel forms of partnership, both with reinforce the UK’s position at the our founders and the broader UK forefront of global innovation scientifi c community. By creating an in the life sciences. integrated biomedical research effort PhD student at work. that brings together the best minds from © The Francis Crick Institute research, academia and industry, we

The Crick will undertake discovery research SCIENCE QUESTIONS To effectively deliver the scientific agenda outlined in informed by the range of human disease. The span this Strategy, the Crick needs to develop a distinctive and diversity of our research, plus the ability to culture with effective leadership and governance, and interact freely with scientists and other academics strong engagement from staff across the organisation 1. How does a living 5. How does the immune associated with the three university founders, organism acquire system know whether, and from the university founders. As we move towards will promote cross-fertilisation between studies form and function? when and how to react? opening, we will develop an implementation plan of different diseases and novel approaches to linking our strategy with operational and financial Understanding the intricate processes The immune system is the human scientific enquiry. that allow living organisms to develop body’s major defence mechanism, plans. Areas we will focus on include: from a single cell to a fully functional crucial both to combat pathogens The Crick will recruit the brightest and most adult organism can provide important and to defend against cancer. Crick Governance Recruitment, training and insights into human health and disease. research will explore how the immune organisational development effective researchers working across a range These insights will also enable progress system functions and how malfunctions We will establish robust formal of scientific areas, using an approach known in regenerative medicine − the process can increase susceptibility to infection governance mechanisms that are We will develop an organisation that as ‘best scientific athlete’. of replacing or regenerating human cells, and disease. consistent with UK charity regulations is adaptable and open to learning, with tissues or organs to restore or establish and have the confidence of the Crick a strong tradition of internal mentoring normal function. founders and funders. A priority will and support and a focus on excellent Our research programme is defined by seven be to develop formal and informal 6. How do microbes and science and scientists. Important areas high level science questions reflecting both major management structures that maximise of focus will be developing the leadership pathogens function and opportunities for scientific staff to issues of interest in biomedical research and the 2. How do organisms skills of our junior group leaders, and interact with their hosts? engage with the day-to-day running working with our university founders current research strategies of our six founders. maintain health and balance of the institute. to expand capability in the clinical and The first three questions are cross-cutting and throughout life and as they age? Infectious diseases remain a significant physical sciences. challenge to human health. Research at overlapping, the remaining four are more thematic. Living organisms need mechanisms to the Crick will improve our understanding Questions will be explored using a range of maintain themselves and their internal of a wide range of pathogenic organisms, Science review and environment in constant conditions, in exploring the complex interactions quality assurance Outreach experimental approaches. a changing environment. Understanding between pathogens, commensals these mechanisms and what causes them (organisms which co-exist with their We will maintain the highest research We will build extensive networks The Crick clinical research programme will evolve to break down will aid understanding host without harm) and the host. standards by developing effective review and relationships across the UK and of the normal ageing process as well and evaluation processes. Our review internationally to establish our role through discussions and engagement with our process will include a review of the as a national institute that supports the

as many human diseases, including high throughput for DNA samples Preparing Crick Institute sequencing. © The Francis university founders, informing the focus of efforts eurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular institute every six years, based on UK science and innovation endeavour. disease and cancer. 7. How does the nervous system international independent peer review. As the Crick develops, we will continue and through the appointment of senior clinical This institutional review will be owned to explore ways of working with scientists. Ensuring that the knowledge gained detect, store and respond to information and retain that and managed by the Crick founders, universities and research institutes outside through exploration of our science questions is in communication with the Crick Board. London, as well as relationships with information throughout life? appropriately tested and translated into clinical 3. How can we use biological industry and international partners. knowledge to better research, and ultimately into benefits for patients, The complexity of nervous systems Understand, diagnose means that progress in understanding Culture is of particular importance to the Crick. and treat human disease? the mechanisms of disease and potential Transitional therapeutic approaches has been slow. We will create a collaborative and management systems Better studies of human beings in Crick research will have an emphasis open culture that fosters links between health and disease will improve our on simpler vertebrate and invertebrate the Crick, the founders and the We will establish all the business ION STR VOLUT UCTUR Y, E AL B understanding of how we function, models which offer opportunities to wider scientific community including functions necessary for an organisation LOG LOGY & BIOP IOL CO THO HYS OG E & E ICS Y and help to translate improved biological tackle this complexity, complementing researchers, clinicians, industry and the with the Crick’s size and scale, combined S knowledge into applications that improve our university founders’ expertise in public. A variety of communications tools M with appropriate mechanisms for internal IS N IM will support a creative internal culture A A patient and population health. The human and rodent models. resource allocation. A particular focus G G R IN O QUESTION G Crick will work with its university where staff connect and collaborate. L will be on developing a high performance E How do organisms D founders to integrate knowledge ICT infrastructure, with the emphasis O maintain health and M gained from laboratory studies balance throughout on access to technology anytime, life and as they age? QUESTION and studies involving patients. anywhere across the institute. N O G How can we use C I QUESTION N E T I biological knowledge L A R How does a living L C E I to better understand, B E organism acquire R I N O B I form and function? diagnose and treat L A G O F N human disease? 4. How does cancer start, G O E

Y R O OUR VISION

I B spread and respond to therapy? To discover the biology

M & underlying human health, improving the Cancer is a major cause of human

S QUESTION treatment, diagnosis, QUESTION EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHES Y morbidity and mortality. Unravelling N

How does the and prevention of How does cancer start, &

H nervous system detect, human disease spread and respond G the genetic, cellular and physiological E

E E N

T store and respond to therapy? N

O I E changes that govern how cancer develops

T to information? M

B I

C and spreads will both improve our

I S O S L The Crick will facilitate the development of O understanding of this complex disease G Y QUESTION QUESTION and enable better therapeutic strategies. effective technical and conceptual approaches. How do microbes How does the H and pathogens immune system We will combine existing biomedical research I C G H Y H E function and interact know whether, when R T - M T S E T with their hosts? and how to react? S C C H IS I I technology with new and emerging disciplines. H R T M M N O R E O O U Y H E L G & C T O H IO O This will include approaches not traditionally G P B R I U P ES T & C associated with biomedical research, ranging OM PU Y TH TATI LOG S EOR ONAL, BIO from the physical sciences to ecology and ethology. YS ETI UMAN GY TEM CAL & H IOLO S B PHYS IOLOGY & We will work closely with our three university Science questions – founders, drawing on their multi- and inter- cross-cutting disciplinary expertise to develop new analysis, measurement and calculation and imaging tools Science questions – thematic for biomedical research.

Experimental approaches Until construction of the Francis Crick Institute is complete, our team will be based at the following address:

The Francis Crick Institute, 215 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BE Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)800 028 6731

Image credits Front cover: Discussing phenotyping strategies in the Immunobiology Laboratory, LRI. © The Francis Crick Institute Local school children making lava lamps To download a full version during National Science and Engineering Week. of the strategy please visit © The Francis Crick Institute www.crick.ac.uk/ publications Laser scanning confocal microscopy image highlighting blood vessels. © Claudio Franco and Holger Gerhardt, LRI Back cover: Discussion at lab meeting. © The Francis Crick Institute www.crick.ac.uk Cancer Research UK • Medical Research Council • The Wellcome Trust UCL (University College London) • Imperial College London • King’s College London