Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry Division
The objectives of the Division are to gain insights into human biology and disease at the molecular level with a view to developing strategies for diagnosis and treatment.
Work in the Division focuses on biological processes central to immunity and cancer, and uses molecular, cellular and transgenic approaches, exploiting genomics, proteomics and molecular evolution.
In 2012 a new chemistry-oriented Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology (CCSB) was established, to help support the Division’s work in synthetic biology and strengthen its chemical expertise.
Group Leaders and MRC Investigators
- Jason Chin - Systematic genetic code reprogramming / Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology
- Philipp Holliger - Evolution of novel biopolymers
- Leo James - Host-Pathogen Biology
- Patrycja Kozik - Dendritic cells and initiation of immune responses
- Andrew McKenzie - Investigation of immune and haematopoietic disorders
- Felix Randow - Cell-autonomous and innate immunity
- Wes Robertson - Synthetic Genomics for Microbiome Reprogramming
- Noe Rodriguez - Investigation of immunity and neuro-immune modulation in infection and cancer
- Julian Sale - Vertebrate mutagenesis and DNA damage tolerance
- John Sutherland - Chemical origins of molecular biology
- Ana Tufegdžić Vidaković - Molecular basis of gene transcription
- Roger Williams - Structural studies of phosphoinositide signalling and intracellular sorting
- Joseph Yeeles - Mechanisms of chromosome replication
- Jerome Zurcher - Genome Synthesis and Genetic Isolation
Scientific Facilities within the Division
Emeritus
- Mariann Bienz - Molecular mechanisms of Wnt signal transduction
- Alan Fersht - Tumour suppressor p53 structure and drug discovery
- Michael Gait - Therapeutic applications of synthetic oligonucleotide analogues & their peptide conjugates
- Greg Winter - Bicyclic peptides & chemistry of bicycles
Past Group Leaders 2008 - 2024
- Alexander Betz - Left the LMB September 2015
- Gerry Crossan - left the LMB April 2024
- Paul Dear - Stepped down, September 2010
- Kevin Hiom - Moved to the University of Dundee, March 2010
- David Komander - Left October 2018 to work at the Walter+Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
- Michael Neuberger - Deceased, October 2013
- KJ Patel - Left June 2020 to work at the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine at the University of Oxford
- Alan Warren - Moved to the University of Cambridge, March 2014
Joint Heads of Division:
Jason Chin and Phil Holliger
Divisional Administrator:
Michele Hare
Assistant Divisional Administrator:
Aysha Islam
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 267090
Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology Administrator:
Emma Thurston
Division of Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry,
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology,
Francis Crick Avenue,
Cambridge Biomedical Campus,
Cambridge CB2 0QH,
UK.
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 267089