The Tropical Metabolism Research Unit was established in October 1954 as an MRC Research Unit in the University of the West Indies to investigate the metabolic basis of childhood malnutrition. The research focused on protein and energy metabolism in children with Kwashiorkor and Marasmus and the early findings provided the knowledge which has lead to a six-fold improvement in therapy and reduction of mortality. More recently, the focus of the research has been on the impact of malnutrition on the mental development of children, and in addition, on the protein metabolic basis of immune failure in severe malnutrition.

The findings have been used to inform education policy on nutrition in schools, and to design ways of rebuilding the capability for immune response in malnourished individuals. Children are rehabilitated in a purpose built TMRU Ward and all clinical studies have been carried out here. The Unit staff has raise funds to provide a follow-up programme for children discharged from the ward as part of its community outreach programme.

Ever sensitive to the health needs of our people, the Tropical Metabolism Research Unit turned its attention to chronic diseases, (Hypertension, Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Disease) when these nutrition related diseases became epidemic. The initial focus of the research was on the epidemiology of these diseases, identifying the burden of disease as well as the main determinants of diabetes and hypertension.

In pursuance of its research mandate, the Tropical Metabolism Research Unit became a postgraduate teaching facility, with the introduction of the Master’s programme in Nutrition in 1972. The Unit also provides the quantitative components – Epidemiology, Statistics and Experimental Design for the Master’s programme in Public Health. Some of the Unit’s vital research has, from the beginning, been carried out in its Ph.D. programme. It also has a vibrant post-doctoral fellowship programme, which has attracted researchers from the United Kingdom and United States.

International recognition of the work of the Tropical Metabolism Research Unit (TMRU) has developed into research collaboration with leading institutions, including the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, London; the Centre for Disease Control, Atlanta and the Children’s Nutrition Research Centre, Baylor College of Medicine, and Loyola University of Chicago.

In 1999, the Tropical Metabolism Research Unit (TMRU) became a part of the Tropical Medicine Research Institute (TMRI).