The Francis Crick Institute is led by Chief Executive, Sir Paul Nurse, a Nobel Prize-winning biologist and President of the Royal Society. Sir Paul is assisted by a small leadership group of senior staff with international reputations.

The Institute's principal focus will be on the fundamental biological processes underlying human health and disease. Building on the combined capabilities of the organisations involved in this innovative partnership, research will be both broad and deep, covering all areas of disease and all levels from the molecule to the whole organism.

Both the structure of the organisation and the design of the building support interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches to biomedical research, drawing input from chemists, physicists, mathematicians, computer scientists, engineers and others. Operating in this way will promote a dynamic working environment with constant refreshment of ideas and personnel.

Fluorescent micrograph of differentiating neurons.
© Yirui Sun, Wellcome Images

The Francis Crick Institute will drive the development and roll-out of innovative new technologies to open new avenues of research and nurture a culture in which clinical and commercial translation is valued as highly as discovery research.

It will build extensive networks locally, nationally and internationally, with academia, industry and the public sector, promoting interactions and collaborations to accelerate translation and innovation.

The Institute will play a key national role, developing technologies and training scientists and technical staff for the benefit of the wider UK biomedical science base.

To engage with the public, the Institute will host a variety of activities such as exhibitions, lectures, workshops, school visits, and summer placements for students. It will also develop and support community projects and facilities to promote health and wellbeing.