Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research

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.

Lukas Supragonas wins award for medicinal chemistry

Lukas Supragonas has received the 2023 UCL Parke-Davis 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.

Matthew Swire wins an MRC Career Development Award

Dr Matthew Swire has won a five-year MRC Career Development Award to support the investigation of how oligodendrocytes alter neural circuits during learning.

A view of the UCL Cruciform Building through the tall pillars of the Portico Building

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.

Zeiss Gemini SEM 460 Microscope (Credit: Zeiss)

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.

The Cruciform Building as viewed from Gower Street, London

Contact us

The Wolfson Institute is located within our Bloomsbury Campus. Get our addresses and contact details.

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.

The Cruciform Building was completed in 1906 and functioned as University College Hospital for over 90 years.

The building underwent a £50 million renovation to restore its grandeur and to generate a modern and high quality interior for the 21st century.

The Cruciform Building

The entrance to the UCL Cruciform Building

Latest publications

Pryce G, Sisay S, Giovannoni G, Selwood DL, Baker D (2023). Neuroprotection in an Experimental Model of Multiple Sclerosis via Opening of Big Conductance, Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels. Pharmaceuticals, 16 (7), 972.
Buller S, Kohnke S, Hansford R, Shimizu T, Richardson WD, Blouet C (2023). Median eminence myelin continuously turns over in adult mice. Molecular Metabolism, 101690.
Kessaris N, Denaxa M (2023). Cortical interneuron specification and diversification in the era of big data. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 80, 102703.
Fuller AM, Luiz A, Tian N, Arcangeletti M ... Sikandar S, et al (2023). Gate control of sensory neurotransmission in peripheral ganglia by proprioceptive sensory neurons. Brain, awad182.
Fişek M, Herrmann D, Egea-Weiss A, Cloves M, Bauer L, Lee T-Y, Russell LE (2023). Cortico-cortical feedback engages active dendrites in visual cortex. Nature, 617 (7962) pp. 769-776.
Mikaeili H, Habib AM, Yeung CW-L, Santana-Varela S, Luiz AP ... Cox JJ (2023). Molecular basis of FAAH-OUT-associated human pain insensitivity. Brain, awad098.