Institute mission is to undertake research on essential nutrients and their interaction with the genome and the environment as they influence development and health; primary research areas: nutrition in pregnancy and infancy as it affects nervous and vascular system development; composition and structure of membranes and cell function; pre-natal (in utero) metabolic programming and chronic diseases in adulthood; current research activities cover various specialisms within these areas; the Institute also collaborates closely with vascular, endocrine, immunological and ophthalmological research groups in the UK and with various researchers abroad; it is keen to accommodate students with interests ranging from community health to scientific basis for development, health and disorders.