Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), namely, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), was established in December 1978, by merging with former institute of Experimental Medicine (which was founded in 1958) and former Faculty of Basic Medicine, Chinese Medical University (which was founded in 1917 with PUMC as its predecesssor).

Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, CAMS (namely School of Basic Medicine, PUMC) bears the responsibilities for two major tasks in scientific research and teaching.

In the scientific research respect, the institute lays particular emphasis on research in the fundamental theories of medical sciences, application and development of contemporary advanced theories and technology of biomedicine, studies on the pathogenesis of several common diseases and offering theoretical understanding and measures to their prevention, diagnosis and treatment. It bears a lot national key research programs, such as state high-tech project, "The Eighty Five-Year Plan" project, "Climbing New Height" project and proframes sponsored by National Natural Science Foundation and Ministry of Public Health Foundation, etc.

In the educational respect, the School of Basic Medicine, PUMC bears the responsibilities for teaching in basic medical sciences for the undergraduates majoring in medical sciences for the undergraduates majoring in medicine, which is the only medical school covers an 8-years curriculum in China as well as majoring in nursing; the postgraduates; students transferred after the 3 year professional training program and students studying in spare time.

The total personnel of the institute is 806, and 179 of them have higher-ranking academic titles, including four academicians of the Academia Sinica. There are 18 special fields including 23 departments of teaching and research in the institute.