University of Edinburgh: Institute of Genetics and Cancer
Edinburgh
The mission of the Institute of Genetics and Cancer (IGC) is to improve the lives of people living with genetic disease and cancer through research.
We love opening the doors of our institute to the public for special events. Our institute is the central hub of our three research centre buildings – the Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, the MRC Human Genetics Unit (HGU) and the Centre for Genomic & Experimental Medicine (CGEM). Each research centre has its own unique history, but the powerful synergy emerging from their common research strengths led to the formation of the Institute in 2009.
The Institute of Genetics and Cancer brings together 600 people, including approximately 200 PhD students, in a single, scientific endeavour, enabling exciting multi-disciplinary collaborations in biomedical research.
IGC Researchers tackle one of the greatest biomedical challenges of today – explaining how changes in our DNA lead to disease. Our multidisciplinary teams of world-class scientists and leading clinicians work together under one roof with access to cutting-edge facilities. Our researchers work across scale, from molecules to populations, and are paving the way to more targeted treatments and therapies for people living with genetic conditions and cancers, involving patients and the public every step of the way.
As part of the Edinburgh Medical School (EMS) 300 events, the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine is opening its doors both at the BioQuarter and Western General campuses.
Go behind the scenes at IGC - meet our researchers, tour our labs, and learn about the cutting-edge research we carry out.
We are offering a full programme of building tours, talks, videos, and drop-in activities:
Our family-friendly activities include crawling inside a giant cell, learning about genetic engineering, viewing samples through a microscope, and more.
Our researcher talks will highlight some of the research going on in the institute.
We will also have building tours and lab visits running throughout the day. Visitors will have a chance to view the labs and research facilities and learn about our work.
We will be running building and lab tours throughout the day. Tours last approximately 45 minutes and can be booked at reception on the day.
Bookable workshop:
Zebrafish! A splash of science and art (5+) - 11:30-12:30
Link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/zebrafish-a-splash-of-science-and-art-tickets-1992134596204
Bookable talk:
A history of the Western General
1:30-2:30
Bookable discussion session:
Involving the public in biomedical research
3:00-3:30
Main event link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/doors-open-days-2026-the-institute-of-genetics-and-cancer-tickets-1992133229115?aff=oddtdtcreator
This year’s Doors Open Day theme is Heritage at Risk: Revive, Resist, Reimagine. As part of the program of talks, we will be hosting local historian Jim Slaven. Jim will discuss the history of the Western General Hospital site, from its origins as a poorhouse in 1868, to a military hospital, to a site of both healthcare and patient-centred research.
The IGC’s own story of biomedical research stretches back to the post-war period, with the facilities and remit of the institute evolving in response to new scientific discoveries and population health needs. We are delighted to have Jim share the stories of the people within IGC and the local community who have contributed to this shaped this history and our area.
Digital Resources
Doors Open Days at the Institute of Genetics and Cancer
Visit our 2021 Doors Open Days website where we will take you behind the scenes and show you some of our cool tools!
Learn more!Facilities
Additional Access Information
An accessible toilet is located on the ground floor. (This is not a Changing Places toilet.)
The main entrance to the building is fully accessible to wheelchair users; it is step-free and the door is opened with a touch-button. The main lecture theatre is fully accessible to wheelchair users, and contains spaces for up to X wheelchairs users. The accessible bathroom is located on the ground floor. The upper floors are accessed via lift.
In the event of a fire, anyone above the second floor who is not able to use the stairs will be evacuated using an evacuation chair. This requires the individual to be able to self-transfer to the evacuation chair. Visitors who are unable to use the stairs or self-transfer to the evacuation chair will not be able to take part in tours of the upper levels, but will be able to attend talks on the ground floor and take part in activities on the first floor.
There is a men’s bathroom, women’s bathroom, gender neutral bathroom, and accessible bathroom on the ground floor, with step-free access.
Limited parking nearby.
Hearing Loop in lecture theatre; not in workshop spaces.
Water bottles can be filled up.
Gallery
Key Information
Booking Required.
Where to find us
Address
- University of Edinburgh
- Crewe Rd South
- Edinburgh
- EH4 2XU