Martin Bobrow

Professor Martin Bobrow

CBE FRS FMedSci

  • Position Emeritus Fellow

Martin was, until he retired, Head of the Department of Medical Genetics. He is Honorary Faculty at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and Emeritus Professor of Medical Genetics, University of Cambridge.

Martin Bobrow

Martin graduated MB BCh BSc (Med) from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Shortly thereafter he left South Africa and after a few years of medical practice he joined the MRC Population Genetics Research Unit in Oxford. When the unit closed, he transferred to the Department of Genetics in Oxford as MRC External Staff, and as a Consultant to the Oxford Health Authority.

In 1981 he was appointed Professor of Human Genetics at he University off Amsterdam; then Prince Philip Professor of Paediatric Research at Guys Hospital London (1983) and Professor of Medical Genetics at the University of Cambridge (1995).

He has been awarded FRCPath, FRCP, and FRCPCH. Martin was a Founder Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and was elected FRS in 2004.

Martin was a member of MRC Council (1988-1994) and a Governor of the Wellcome Trust (1996-2007).  He was associated with the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign from 1980, and served as National Chairman from 1995-2011. Martin also chaired COMARE (the Committee on the Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (1985-1992) and worked with other advisory committees. He served on the Nuffield Council of Bioethics from 1996-2003, and was Deputy Chair (2000-2003). He was a Non-Exececutive Director of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (2004-2014).

Research interests

Martin has, over the years, published on methods for identifying human chromosomes, particularly in interspecific hybrid cell lines which provided the first modern method for mapping human genes; gene mapping using molecular markers; molecular diagnostics of inherited diseases; and more recently on governance systems for the responsible use of large clinical genomic datasets addressing the tension between the need to preserve subject privacy and the need to maximise exploitation of research data.

What's on

A student speaker wearing a red top presenting on stage.

Postgraduate Research Soirée

09/05/2024 at 17.45

Join Wolfson postgraduate students as they talk about their research in an informal evening of interesting presentations and friendly discussion – complete with wine and cheese! 

A woman singing and a man playing a violin in a room, with two large gongs behind them and an audience in front.

Music and Madeira: Conversations with Angels

10/05/2024 at 18.30

The Alexandra Ensemble performs a programme of music by British composers for soprano and violin.

A dark brown vase with orange symbol on in front of a blurred background of more pottery on shelves.

Art Exhibition: Ceramics in the Bernard Leach Tradition

11/05/2024 at 10.00

A display of works from the Bradshaw-Bubier studio pottery collection.

Person typing on laptop

WolfWorks - Finishing off a dissertation

11/05/2024 at 10.00

This workshop will cover several aspects of formatting and proofreading a dissertation.

A close up photograph of Dr Achintya Prahlad in front of a leafy background

Lunchtime Lecture & Concert: A Glimpse into Hindustani Music

11/05/2024 at 13.30

A lunchtime lecture and concert focussed on k̲h̲ayāl, a system of vocal music within the broader universe of Hindustani music.

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