The Human Genome Project decoded three billion letters of human DNA, providing a draft of the genome. The next major challenge will be to determine the function of genes and discover how defects in their sequence give rise to human disease.

As a unique multidisciplinary centre, the OCFG will be an international centre of excellence for research on gene function, and will play a leading role in answering the next generation of questions. It will bring together researchers in genetics and physiology with experts in important new fields such as bioinformatics and biostatistics to produce a creative environment for gene investigation. The research will range from the functional analysis of single genes to the development of novel therapies in the clinic for a variety of human diseases.

The new Centre (located in the Henry Wellcome building of Gene Function designed by RMJM Architects) will also provide excellent training opportunities for young scientists, both in interdisciplinary skills and in the cutting edge techniques and technologies which are in high demand in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

The Oxford Centre for Gene Function received a Mention at the 2005 Civic Trust Awards.

A grant of £10 million was awarded from the Joint Infrastructure Fund (established by the government and the Wellcome Trust) to Professors Frances Ashcroft, Peter Donnelly and Kay Davies to establish the OCGF. A generous donation of £2 million was provided by the Wolfson Foundation to provide much needed core equipment and the PF Charitable Trust provided £250,000 for audiovisual support and video conferencing.