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

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Wolfson Entrepreneurship Competition Final 2025

22/03/2025 at 10.00

Discover groundbreaking ideas and cutting-edge solutions as Cambridge’s brightest entrepreneurial minds compete for prizes over £10,000.

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Art Exhibition: 'Feel the Rhythm'

22/03/2025 at 10.00

Visit Wolfson's latest exhibition 'Feel the Rhythm' featuring work by emerging artist Fungai Benhura, winner of the Wolfson Royal Academy Schools Graduate Prize.

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Medical Society Dinner 2025

22/03/2025 at 19.00

As Wolfson celebrates 60 years, we are excited to invite you to a special dinner in honour of this significant milestone.

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Lent Term Concert: Myths and Legends

23/03/2025 at 18.00

As part of Wolfson’s 60th Anniversary celebrations, the College Choir and Alumni Choir, directed by Lyn Alcántara, present an evening of choral works inspired by the fantastical.

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Graduation Ceremony

29/03/2025 at 09.00

Graduation ceremonies are the culmination of students’ hard work and commitment, and a moment to celebrate the completion of their Cambridge degree.

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