How John Gurdon’s tadpole experiment changed science

Can we reprogram specialised cells, like those in our skin or liver, to become something different? In the 1950s, John Gurdon made a groundbreaking discovery. He cloned a tadpole using a gut cell, proving specialised cells retain all genetic instructions. His work revolutionised biology, leading to Nobel-winning research and advancements in stem cell medicine. Today, scientists build on his legacy to tackle major medical challenges, from repairing damaged tissues to treating Alzheimer’s.

The Gurdon Institute is a world-leading centre for research into human development and disease, part of the University of Cambridge School of Biological Sciences. Their mission is to understand the fundamental mechanisms of normal development, to determine how these mechanisms are subverted in cancer and other diseases, and to use this knowledge to develop new therapies.

The Institute was founded in 1991 according to the vision of John Gurdon and Ron Laskey, to bring together expertise in two research areas: developmental biology and cancer biology.

To find out more about the Gurdon Institute and their cutting edge work, please visit: https://www.gurdon.cam.ac.uk/

Cambridge Filmworks

Cambridge Animation

www.cambridgefilmworks.com