The Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics is the largest pre-clinical department within the Division of Medical Sciences of the University of Oxford. Newly formed in January 2006, it has a world-class reputation in both its research and teaching, as well as a distinct identity under the leadership of Professor Dame Kay Davies, FRS, who is Dr Lee’s Professor of Anatomy and Head of Department. Click here to find out more about the history of the Department.

Our Research

The Department has a distinctive integrative biomedical research programme, bringing together researchers who address a range of fundamental questions in the biosciences at the molecular, cellular and systems levels.

In the 2008 RAE, the Department, together with the Department of Pharmacology, was rated the top pre-clinical department in the country.

The research interests of members of the Department are clustered within six broad and overlapping themes: Neuroscience; Development and Reproduction; Cardiac Science and Metabolic Control; Ion Channels, Transporters and Signalling; Metabolism and Endocrinology and Functional Genomics. The latter is underpinned by a very strong genomics programme within the embedded MRC Functional Genomics Unit. Several individuals in each theme are world leaders in their respective fields.

The Department has state-of-the-art facilities in areas such as imaging, genomics and computer modelling, as well as strong links with other physical and life sciences departments, and clinical departments within the Division of Medical Sciences. These links support many innovative research programmes that address both fundamental basic science questions and impact on our understanding of major human diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease and neurodegenerative disorders.

The Department has an active and diverse programme of graduate training, which interfaces with several Divisional biomedical programmes and includes a number of interdisciplinary courses and training programmes.

Our Undergraduate Teaching and Graduate Training

The Department makes a major contribution to undergraduate teaching programmes in medicine and physiology. Members of the Department also have a significant involvement in teaching associated with the MSc in Neuroscience and several four year DPhil programmes.

Click here for the Department’s contact details and maps of how to find us.