Applications for the 2026 LMB PhD places are now open. Deadline is 2 December 2025.
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
Protein sorting in the Golgi: Should I stay or should I go?

Providing order amongst constant cargo traffic: Sean Munro’s group in the LMB’s Cell Biology Division and John Briggs’ group at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, identify how GOLPH3 enables COPI vesicles to distinguish between Golgi resident and proteins bound for the endoplasmic reticulum.
Syn57 represents a new chapter in the genetic code of life

In a significant rewriting of the genome, Jason Chin’s group in the LMB’s PNAC Division have synthesised E. coli with just 57 codons, freeing seven codons which could be used to introduce non-canonical amino acids and produce novel polymers.
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Latest News
John Gurdon (1933 – 2025)
Renowned developmental biologist John Gurdon, former Group Leader and Head of the LMB’s Cell Biology Division, has died aged 92. […]
Julian Sale appointed Joint Head of the PNAC Division
Group Leader Julian Sale joins Phil Holliger as Head of the LMB’s PNAC Division. […]
Latest Publications
- High-Throughput Mechanomic Screening Reveals Novel Regulators of Single-Cell Mechanics.
Strampe, L., et al.
Biophys J [Epub ahead of print]. (9th October 2025) - Production of antibacterial compounds by a Steely hybrid polyketide synthase in Dictyostelium.
Yamashita, TR., Usuki, T., Kay, RR., Saito, T.
FEBS Open Bio [Epub ahead of print]. (8th October 2025) - Balancing stability and flexibility when reshaping archaeal membranes.
Amaral, M., Frey, F., Jiang, X., Baum, B., Šarić, A.
Elife 14. (7th October 2025) - The mechanistic basis of cargo selection during Golgi maturation.
Taylor, RJ., et al.
Sci Adv 11(40): eaea0016. (3rd October 2025) - Identification of a RAB32-LRMDA-Commander membrane trafficking complex reveals the molecular mechanism of human oculocutaneous albinism type 7.
Butkovič, R., et al.
Nat Commun 16(1): 8794. (2nd October 2025) - Sub-3 Å resolution protein structure determination by single-particle cryo-EM at 100 keV.
Karia, D., et al.
Structure 33(10): 1717-1727.e4. (2nd October 2025) - Cryo-EM structure of the vault from human brain reveals symmetry mismatch at its caps.
Lövestam, S., Scheres, SHW.
Structure 33(10): 1643-1648.e1. (2nd October 2025)
See more Publications