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MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology

MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology

One of the world's leading research institutes, our scientists are working to advance understanding of biological processes at the molecular level - providing the knowledge needed to solve key problems in human health.

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Home > Research > Cell Biology

Cell Biology Division

The Division aims to understand the biological organisation of cells and organisms, and the molecular mechanisms underlying their function. These fundamental questions are addressed using a wide range of model organisms including yeast, slime moulds, nematodes, flies and mice, as well as cell culture and in vitro techniques. Despite this breadth, there are important shared themes that encourage synergy between groups. All have an interest in mechanistic explanations at a cellular level, and common approaches include the use of advanced microscopy and genetic techniques. The Division is also keen to contribute to the translation of fundamental discoveries into clinical advances.

Group Leaders and MRC Investigators

  • Buzz Baum - The generation and evolution of biological form: from archaea to eukaryotes
  • Simon Bullock - Molecular cell biology of cytoskeletal transport
  • Emmanuel Derivery - Molecular basis of cell polarisation and asymmetry
  • Juliette Fedry - Cellular proteostasis networks in physiology and diseases
  • Ramanujan Hegde - Membrane protein biosynthesis and quality control
  • Madeline Lancaster - Human brain development and evolution
  • Roni Levin Konigsberg - Molecular Physiology of Phagocytic Cells in Health and Disease
  • Kate McDole - Morphogenesis of the early mammalian embryo
  • Liz Miller - Protein transport and quality control in the secretory pathway
  • Sean Munro - Functional organisation of the Golgi apparatus
  • John O'Neill - Cellular rhythms, signalling and metabolic regulation
  • Lalita Ramakrishnan - Mechanisms of tuberculosis pathogenesis
  • Marta Shahbazi - Cell fate decisions in the early mammalian embryo

Senior Investigator Scientists

  • Katja Röper - The cell biology of dynamic epithelia during organ formation

Scientific Facilities within the Division

  • Biological Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics
  • Light Microscopy

Emeritus

  • Rob Kay - How cells drink and move: macropinocytosis and chemotaxis
  • John Kilmartin - Conserved mechanisms of mitosis in yeast and mammals
  • Peter Lawrence - Pattern formation in development
  • Hugh Pelham - Membrane protein sorting
  • Andrew Travers - Chromatin folding and unfolding

Past Group Leaders 2009 - 2024

  • Mario de Bono - Moved to the Institute of Science and Technology, Austria, October 2019
  • Matthew Freeman - Moved to the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, December 2012
  • Wanda Kukulski - Moved to the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine of the University of Bern, May 2020
  • Christien Merrifield - Moved to CNRS, France, October 2011, deceased 2017
  • Ben Nichols - Left LMB, January 2019 to go travelling
  • Melina Schuh - Moved to the Max Planck Institute, Göttingen, Germany, December 2015


Cell Biology logo

Head of Division:
Ramanujan Hegde

Divisional Administrator:
Alison Turnock

Assistant Divisional Administrator:
Greg Moore

Division of Cell Biology,
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology,
Francis Crick Avenue,
Cambridge Biomedical Campus,
Cambridge CB2 0QH,
UK.

Tel: +44 (0) 1223 267030

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Research

  • Goals and Research Focus
  • Cell Biology
  • Neurobiology
    • Initiative with the Department of Clinical Neurosciences
  • Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry
    • Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology
  • Structural Studies
  • Molecular Immunity Unit
  • Technology Transfer
    • History Of Technology Transfer
    • Neonatal Mouse Anaesthetisation Mould Request Form
    • Chinlab Software
    • Examples of Recent Technology Transfer Initiatives
      • Bicycle Therapeutics
      • Mesolens Microscopy
      • Gold EM Support Grids
      • In Vitro Compartmentalization (IVC)
      • CombiPuck
      • SiR (Self-inactivating Rabies virus)
      • MORPHEUS III
      • Trim-Away
      • PepGen
      • Raphin 1
      • Transgenic mice expressing human P301S tau protein (continued success since 2002)
      • Therapeutic Antibodies
  • Scientific Facilities & Support Services
    • Biological Services Group
    • Biophysics
    • Crystallisation and X-ray
    • Electron Microscopy
    • Flow Cytometry
    • Light Microscopy
    • Mass Spectrometry
    • Nanobody
    • NMR
    • Scientific Computing
    • Workshops
    • Support Services
  • Technician Commitment
  • Locally Developed Software
    • Image Processing Software
  • Scientific Training
    • Electron Microscopy
    • Biophysics Lectures
    • Macromolecular Crystallisation
    • Crystallography Course 2013
    • Statistics Course 2014
    • RNA-seq course 2020
  • Published Research
  • Animal Research
    • Why is animal research needed?
    • Alternatives to using Animals in Research
    • Welfare and ethics
    • LMB Research Involving Animals
    • LMB Animal Research Facts and Figures
    • Biological Services Group
    • Concordat on Openness in Animal Research
    • Useful Links
  • Blue Sky Collaboration
  • LMB COVID-19 response

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Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK. 01223 267000

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