About Us
The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is a research institute dedicated to the understanding of important biological processes at the levels of atoms, molecules, cells and organisms. In doing so, we provide knowledge needed to solve key problems in human health.
Our scientists tackle fundamental, often difficult and long-term research problems. The LMB has made revolutionary contributions to science, such as pioneering X-ray crystallography and electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) to determine protein structures, the sequencing of DNA and the development of monoclonal antibodies. Twelve Nobel Prizes have been awarded for work carried out by LMB scientists.
The LMB also promotes the application and exploitation of our research findings, both by collaboration with existing companies and the founding of new ones, helping to advance medical research and the translation and application of knowledge.
The LMB provides an unsurpassed environment for both young and established researchers, with state-of-the-art facilities and a unique scientific culture. The LMB has always been very diverse, with a truly international outlook. We currently employ men and women from over 50 countries, and LMB alumni work in research organisations across the world.
Insight on Research
Cytosol-adapted bacterium usurps host defence mechanism to evade LPS ubiquitylation

Felix Randow’s group, in the LMB’s PNAC Division, has identified the mechanism by which cytosol-dwelling Shigella flexneri bacteria use their effector protein IpaH1.4 to avoid LPS ubiquitylation by degrading the host E3 ligase RNF213.
Directional loading mechanism is used by SMC complex to capture and ingest DNA

Led by postdoc Frank Bürmann, Jan Löwe’s group in the LMB’s Structural Studies Division, and Mark Dillingham’s group at the University of Bristol, have identified the mechanism the bacterial SMC complex MukBEF uses to entrap DNA ahead of loop extrusion, and found how this pathway can be inhibited by a bacteriophage protein.
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Latest News
Benjamin Ryskeldi-Falcon awarded The Colworth Medal from the Biochemical Society
Benjamin Ryskeldi-Falcon, Group Leader in the LMB’s Neurobiology Division, has been recognised for his research into the molecular basis of neurodegenerative diseases. […]
LMB highlights the scale of molecular biology at the Cambridge Festival
LMB scientists showcased their work at the Cambridge Festival with a hands-on activity about the molecular mechanisms of behaviour and science and art collaboration about body clocks. […]
Latest Publications
- MSP-tracker: A versatile vesicle tracking software tool used to reveal the spatial control of polarized secretion in Drosophila epithelial cells.
Richens, JH., et al.
PLoS Biol 23(4): e3003099 [Epub ahead of print]. (10th April 2025) - Shigella flexneri evades LPS ubiquitylation through IpaH1.4-mediated degradation of RNF213.
Naydenova, K., et al.
Nat Struct Mol Biol [Epub ahead of print]. (9th April 2025) - Sodium ibuprofenate: antibacterial activities and potential β-lactamase inhibition in critical Gram-negative bacteria.
Manzanelli, FA., Clemente, CM., Campagno, LP., Beltramo, DM., Robledo, SM., Ravetti, S., Garro, AG.
Future Microbiol 20(5): 395-407. (9th April 2025) - Cell envelope polysaccharide modifications alter the surface properties and interactions of with innate immune cells in a morphotype-dependent manner.
Lian, E., et al.
mBio 16(4): e0032225. (9th April 2025) - Tissue-like multicellular development triggered by mechanical compression in archaea.
Rados, T., et al.
Science 388(6742): 109-115. (4th April 2025) - Galectin-8 drives ERK-dependent mitochondrial fragmentation, perinuclear relocation and mitophagy, with metabolic adaptations for cell proliferation.
de la Peña, A., et al.
Eur J Cell Biol 104(2): 151488 [Epub ahead of print]. (4th April 2025) - Inhibition of PRC2 enables self-renewal of blastoid-competent naive pluripotent stem cells from chimpanzee.
Huang, T., et al.
Cell Stem Cell 32(4): 627-639.e8. (3rd April 2025)
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