Scientists meet to discuss their work and the future

More than 150 scientists and senior managers involved in the project to create The Francis Crick Institute met at Ashridge, just outside London, to hear more about the science being conducted at the founding institutes, UCL (University College London), as well as King’s College London and Imperial College London, which are expected to join the Institute’s partnership soon.

In his introduction, The Francis Crick Institute’s Director and Chief Executive, Paul Nurse described the meeting as an opportunity for the scientists to get to know each other and the Crick team, and to hear about each other’s work: “We have a real opportunity here to shape and guide an institute that is led by the science and led by the scientists.  Most institutes are part of another organisation but here the Institute’s sole purpose will be its science and that gives it a purity of intent.”

Paul Nurse said the process of creating the Institute would take time, but that collaboration and discussion would lead to success: “We have a responsibility to get this right. This is a very complicated project.  Part of the process is for the Institute’s Executive working with a whole variety of professionals, working with scientists to try to get the best solutions...this may not happen on day one or at meeting two. The process is designed to correct mistakes and overcome difficulties and get the project right. There is huge commitment both politically and in the scientific establishment to get this Institute up and running. I personally feel a great deal of responsibility to deliver it.”

The audience heard from scientists involved in many areas of research at the founding institutes and from the universities. Talks ranged from X-ray crystallography through cell biology to bioengineering and modelling of human heart pathology.

After an evening reception, the scientists questioned the Crick Executive team about the plans for the new institute. They discussed the principles of organising science and best ways to encourage collaboration across the Institute and with the university partners.  Responding to a question from Tim Hunt on how to involve first class clinical research, UCL’s professor of medicine Patrick Maxwell said clinicians would have an important effect on the culture of the Institute. He said the proximity to the “concentration of superb hospitals couldn’t be better” adding that the Institute would be “an extremely attractive environment for clinical scientists to come and train… but you need to break down some language barriers and cultural differences”.  There will be a meeting of clinicians in the coming weeks to discuss how they and basic scientists work together and learn lessons from institutions and researchers elsewhere.

Paul Nurse discussed interactions with the university partners.  He suggested interactions with scientists from other disciplines on a  particular project (such as chemists or physicists) could be encouraged by bringing a small group from the university to The Crick. He said they would still have to be based at their home institution but would be able to gain experience at The Crick too. He also said scientists from The Crick should spend time at the universities.

The Director of Cancer Research UK’s London Research Institute, Richard Treisman said: "The meeting was a great opportunity for scientists from the institutes and the academic partners to meet each other. The talks were good and the discussion lively – and the setting and weather excellent. Future meetings of this sort will help ensure that strong scientific interactions and collaborations develop, and that we move into The Crick Institute's new building in 2015 as close colleagues.”

The Director of the MRC National Institute for Medical Research, Jim Smith added: “Scientists from the two founding institutes and from UCL, King's and Imperial had a great time at the retreat and made good use of the opportunity to become familiar with each other's work. Everyone is looking forward to more interactions and to focusing on areas such as innovation, translation, and clinical collaborations.”

Other joint scientific meetings will be organised as the Crick Institute takes shape. The next will be early next year, when postdoctoral trainees will organise a joint meeting.

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