The Section of Investigative Medicine focuses on human nutrition and intercellular regulatory systems. It has developed international expertise in the measurement, synthesis, and actions of regulatory peptides. It applies this knowledge particularly to the study of hypothalamic, pituitary and islet of Langerhans function. Thus, particular attention is paid to reproductive dysfunction, the effects of stress, mechanisms regulating appetite, metabolism, and diabetes.

The Section is divided into two main elements. One provides the routine clinical chemistry for the Hammersmith Hospitals Trust and the other concentrates on research and teaching. The Section works closely with the Endocrinology Unit within the Department of Medicine, sharing a director and several other posts. This offers the opportunity for staff and students to help to provide a clinical service and, if appropriate, be taught clinical skills at the bedside. The Section contributes to both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education within the Faculty of Medicine of Imperial College London.

The Section has considerable research strengths. It currently has 15 clinical research fellows, all of whom are registered for PhDs, and nine PhD studentships. It has a high publication rate in prestigious international journals and these articles are very highly cited (in the 1980-89 period the laboratory was the most highly cited in Europe). The laboratory is internationally known for its work on gut hormones, carbohydrate metabolism, hypothalamic control mechanisms and regulation of cell growth.

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