Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize for Azim Surani
Azim Surani will receive the 2026 Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize for his groundbreaking discovery of genomic imprinting
September 18, 2025
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Twin chicken embryos with a joint body stained for N-cadherin (magenta), actin (yellow) and nuclei (cyan). Image by Brendan Chiong (Xiong lab)
Studying development to understand disease
The Gurdon Institute is a world-leading centre for research at the interface between developmental biology and cancer biology
About us
Our mission is to understand the fundamental mechanisms of normal development, to determine how these mechanisms are subverted in cancer and other diseases, and to use this knowledge to develop new therapies.
The Institute is embedded within the University of Cambridge. Our location facilitates interactions across the University as well as with the vibrant technical hub of Silicon Fen.
From cell biology to tissue mechanics
Our 16 research groups address mechanisms that underlie development and disease through work in humans, model organisms, organoids and cell systems.
We employ state-of-the-art technologies such as super-resolution imaging, single-cell analyses, genome engineering, genomics and computer modelling.
Our people
The Institute is a thriving and diverse community where everyone’s contribution is important to achieving our goals.
Our group leaders, many of whom have collected numerous international awards, make important discoveries and seminal contributions in their field. We train postgraduates and postdocs, and are proud that our alumni include over 220 new group leaders pursuing exciting science around the world.
Many of our core support staff, from technical to administrative roles, have been with us for over a decade and the whole team is as committed as our researchers to their work.
Public engagement
The Gurdon Institute is committed to making our fundamental biological research accessible and responsive to the public for the mutual benefits of inspiration, knowledge exchange and trust.
The Institute was granted a Silver Engage Watermark award from the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE), recognising our strategic support for Public Engagement and our continued commitment to innovate and develop our programme and further embed public engagement in our research culture.
