• Photo of the new LMB building opened in 2012

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

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.

Writing the LINE-1s: How does LINE-1 remodel human DNA to insert its sequence throughout the genome?

A drawing of two figures standing behind a DNA double helix. The figure in the rear is reading a scroll titled ‘LINE-1’, whilst the figure in the foreground is pulling apart the DNA double helix to glue in a new, red strand labelled ‘LINE-1’. The foreground figure has ‘ORF2p’ written across the chest and a bottle of paste at its feet.

Spearheaded by postdoc George Ghanim, Kelly Nguyen’s group in the LMB’s Structural Studies Division have investigated the molecular mechanisms which allow LINE-1 to propagate throughout the genome via retrotransposition during target-primed reverse transcription.

See more Insight on Research

Latest Publications


See more Publications