The Department of Pathology is a bridge between fundamental research and medicine.
Pathology, or the study of the causes and effects of disease, is essential for advancing medicine and devising new treatments.
Founded in 1883, the Department of Pathology is one of the largest departments within the School of Biological Sciences, dedicated to delivering excellence in scientific research and teaching.
Our research seeks to understand—and so ultimately arrest and reverse—disease processes of medical and social significance, and we operate with an annual research income of approximately £10 million. We have a major commitment to the teaching and training of over 800 undergraduate students of medical, veterinary, and natural sciences. Researchers in the Department have a history of making major findings, like the discovery of apoptosis, or in the discovery and development of medicines, like Campath (also known as Alemtuzumab), a treatment for blood cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis.
We support over 35 research groups located on the Downing site and at Addenbrooke’s hospital. Our research portfolio spans immunology and infectious diseases, including virology, microbiology, parasitology and genetic diseases, including cancer. A major priority for our researchers is the translation of our findings for patient benefit, including developing diagnostics, new therapeutics and vaccine development and running clinical trials. In REF2021, the Department of Pathology was returned as part of the top-ranked Unit of Assessment 1, where 70% of research labs were classed as world-leading and 25% as internationally excellent.
Our community of scientists includes approximately 110 graduate students undertaking MPhil or PhD research and over 50 postdoctoral research staff. We also support talented senior researchers who wish to launch independent research groups and currently have seven early career Research Fellows. We aim to support all our scientists at all stages in their career development and to help our established academic staff remain active in research.
The Department delivers excellence in teaching our Part IB Biology of Disease course to over 450 students taking the Medical and Veterinary Sciences Tripos and the Natural Sciences Tripos. We have about 90 students doing Part II Pathology either as a Single Subject or as part of the BBS with option choices in infectious diseases (microbiology, parasitology, virology), genomics and genetic diseases (cancer), immunology, and the dynamics of infectious disease. We also contribute to teaching IA and IB mathematical biology courses. Feedback from our undergraduate students reflects our excellence in teaching and the dedication of our teaching and administrative staff.
We strive towards a positive and inclusive research culture and have a zero-tolerance policy toward bullying, harassment or discrimination. We embed equality and diversity objectives in the working practice of all committees and the governance structure of the Department. Any member of staff or students concerned about any aspects of the research culture in the Department should talk to the Head of the Department, the Departmental Administrator or any of our Wellbeing Ambassadors.
