The Francis Crick Institute will be an interdisciplinary medical research institute. Formerly known as the UKCMRI, its work will help understand why disease develops and find new ways to prevent and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease and stroke, infections, and neurodegenerative diseases.

By bringing together scientists from all disciplines, it will not only help to improve people's lives but will also keep the UK at the forefront of innovation in medical research, attract high-value investment, and strengthen the economy.

The Francis Crick Institute was founded by four of the UK's largest and most successful scientific and academic organisations - the Medical Research Council, Cancer Research UK, the Wellcome Trust and UCL (University College London).

By combining specialist knowledge, expertise and resources from each of the founder organisations, The Francis Crick Institute will encourage ground-breaking research across a range of scientific disciplines and help make sure that laboratory discoveries are turned into treatments as quickly as possible.

The Francis Crick Institute is a registered charity. Overall responsibility for setting the strategic direction of the Institute lies with the Board. A senior management team led by Sir Paul Nurse is responsible for implementing its scientific vision and research strategy.

The founder organisations will invest a total of around £650 million to establish the Institute and to ensure that it is resourced to make a major impact when it opens in 2015.

When it is fully operational, The Francis Crick Institute will employ 1,500 staff, including 1,250 scientists, and have an operating budget of over £100 million.

The Francis Crick Institute will not only be a place where science of the highest quality is done; one of its most important roles will be in training future generations of scientists.