About the department
The Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research was established at UCL in 1995 for the pursuit of excellence in translational biomedical research. Now, with its primary focus on fundamental and translational neuroscience, the WIBR is a key hub within the rich environment of the UCL neuroscience community.
Recent achievements
Explore the achievements of our award-winning staff and students.
Matthew Swire wins an MRC Career Development award
Doctor Matthew Swire has won a five-year MRC Career Development award to support the investigation of how oligodendrocytes alter neural circuits during learning.
Lukas Supragona wins award for medicinal chemistry
Lukas Supragona has received the 2023 Parke-David prize for the most distinguished performance in medicinal chemistry at UCL.
New Zeiss Gemini SEM 460 state-of-the-art microscope
The apparatus is funded by an MRC Equipment award won by Arnd Roth and Beverley Clark in partnership with the Crick, University of Sussex and Newcastle University.
Discover the WIBR
Our history
WIBR was founded in 1996 by Salvador Moncada, and has three scientists recognised by the Royal Society.
Research
The WIBR is home to Principal Investigators, with established senior academics and early-career scientists.
Teaching
We support a number of undergraduate modules and run an established master's in drug design.
Equipment
Our high-spec equipments are available to trained users within and outside UCL on a pay-per-use basis.
Staff
Get details of our leadership team, research staff, lab managers, technicians and support teams.
Contact us
The Wolfson Institute is located within our Bloomsbury Campus. Get our addresses and contact details.
Our home in UCL’s iconic Cruciform Building
The Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research is located in the Cruciform Building at University College London.
This imposing edifice is a Grade II listed building designed by the renowned Victorian architect, Alfred Waterhouse, who also designed the Natural History Museum in South Kensington.
Cruciform Building
The Cruciform Building was completed in 1906 and functioned as University College Hospital for over 90 years.
Latest publications
- Wang D, Jiang Y, Jiang J ... Li H, et al. Gut microbial GABA imbalance emerges as a metabolic signature in mild autism spectrum disorder linked to overrepresented Escherichia. Cell Rep Med. 2025 Jan 21;6(1): 101919.
- Clark M, Edwards TJ, Savery D ... Kettaris N, et al. Chiari II brain malformation is secondary to open spina bifida. 2025. bioRxiv.
- Wei S, Jiang J, Wang D ... Li H, Li N. GPR158 in pyramidal neurons mediates social novelty behavior via modulating synaptic transmission in male mice. Cell Rep. 2024 Oct 22;43(10): 114796.
- Foerster S, Floriddia EM, van Bruggen D ... Kessaris N, Richardson WD, et al. Developmental origin of oligodendrocytes determines their function in the adult brain. Nat Neurosci. 2024 Aug;27(8): 1545-1554.
- Bangash MA, Cubuk C, Iseppon F ... Cox JJ, Lewis MJ, Wood JN, Zhao J. Analgesic targets identified in mouse sensory neuron somata and terminal pain translatomes. Cell Rep. 2024 Aug 27;43(8): 114614.
- Gao L, Zhang AP, Fu L, Li QW, Qin XM, Zhao J. Huangqin decoction attenuates spared nerve injury (SNI)-induced neuropathic pain by modulating microglial M1/M2 polarization partially mediated by intestinal nicotinamide metabolism. Phytomedicine. 2024 Jul;129: 155594.
- Habib AM, Cox JJ, Okorokov AL. Out of the dark: the emerging roles of lncRNAs in pain. Trends Genet. 2024 Aug;40(8): 694-705.
- Rajani RM, Ellingford R, Hellmuth M ... Swire M, et al. Selective suppression of oligodendrocyte-derived amyloid beta rescues neuronal dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. PLoS Biol. 2024 Jul 23;22(7): e3002727.
- Bagheri H, Friedman H, Hadwen A ... Swire M, et al. Myelin basic protein mRNA levels affect myelin sheath dimensions, architecture, plasticity, and density of resident glial cells. Glia. 2024 Oct;72(10): 1893-1914.
- Swanton C, Bernard E, Abbosh C ... Wood JN, Vousden KH, Hanahan D. Embracing cancer complexity: Hallmarks of systemic disease. Cell. 2024 Mar 28;187(7): 1589-1616.
Business Development
Turning scientific discoveries into real-world impact
WIBR translates research into commercial success through spin-outs, partnerships, and licensing. Our expertise in drug discovery spans medicinal chemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, and neuroscience.
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