MRC National Institute for Medical Research : The place, the people, the science.

A commemorative DVD created upon the closure of the NIMR in 2015 after 101 years; the history of the NIMR as told by former employees and colleagues. Professor Tilli Tansey, talks about the early years of the research institution when it was established in Hampstead, London. There are extracts from a short historical film showing exterior views. Sir Henry Dale was one of the early scientific luminaries (a section from a Wellcome Library film on Dale is included). Tansey comments on other scientists (with accompanying video) such as F. C. Machintosh and Sir G. L. Brown. A former laboratory assistant recollects his experience of working there and the excitement around the discovery of the flu virus in 1933. During World War II, James Lovelock worked with Robert Bourdillon and talks about risk management in the laboratory. There is discussion about working conditions and the gender bias (almost all men). A historical film about the unit's move from Hampstead to Mill Hill and its Royal opening is shown. Sir Charles Harington led the institute after World War II - the research agenda changed. Jamshed Tata, James Lovelock and other staff reminisce about Rosalind Pitt-Rivers. The day-to-day activities of the institute are described and the prevailing organisational culture described - the degree of formality and everyone smoking. Other contributors are Heinz Wolff and Dame Bridget Ogilvie. Wolff talks about the physiological tests the NIMR developed for the Antarctic expedition and the ascent of Everest (memorably he asked his wife to knit a vest made of hearing aid wire). Peter Medawar became the new director of the NIMR in 1962 (there is a short clip); Tata was invited to rejoin the institute. Ogilvie talks about her interest in parasitology. Medawar changed the organisational culture. Zhores A. Medvedev speaks about his tenure. Latterly, the MRC funded research in external organisations rather than via the NIMR. The NIMR had a policy of developing their staff academically and professionally - there are a number of testimonies on this subject. Current staff comment on the infrastructure of the institute. Sir John Skehel talks about his work on influenza (a slide show with a number of additional members of staff plays out alongside his testimony). Robin Lovell-Badge talks about his work on stem cells. For a while the NIMR was the 'go-to' place for developmental biology. However, all the major scientists left the organisation to take up leadership positions in other institutions. Today, the strengths of the organisation are discussed by Victor Tybulewicz. Various leaders of the different research strands talk about their work. Contributors talk about their thoughts and feelings as the NIMR is closing.