The Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR) offers a highly multi-disciplinary, collaborative and nurturing environment that combines leading excellence in metabolic, endocrine and reproductive research with world class expertise in mass spectrometry, confocal imaging and computational systems science approaches.

IMSR provides strategic leadership for the University of Birmingham Metabolomics Core, which offers highly innovative approaches delivered by the Phenome Centre Birmingham, the Steroid Metabolomics Analysis Core (SMAC), the Metabolic Tracer Analysis Core (MTAC), and the Henry Wellcome Biomolecular NMR Facility.

IMSR researchers explore mechanisms of metabolic, endocrine and reproductive diseases and novel approaches to prognosis, diagnosis and treatment in four major areas: 

• Metabolism and metabolic disease (cell metabolism, steroid metabolism, energy metabolism, exercise, nutrition, obesity and diabetes and their systemic consequences)
• Hormones and Reproduction (fertility, the developing fetus, early miscarriage and other complications of pregnancy, maternal health, newborn health)
• Hormones, Immunity and Inflammation (steroid hormone metabolism and action in antibacterial response, immunomodulation, and inflammatory diseases)
• Hormones, Metabolism and Cancer (hormonal regulation of tumorigenesis, cancer metabolism, hormone-producing and hormone-dependent cancers) 

Our principal investigators employ all elements of the translational cascade, with a combination of in vitro and in vivo models, human in vivo physiology, innovative metabolome and in vivo imaging approaches, experimental medicine studies and clinical trials. IMSR investigators drive core components of the Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE).