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
Neuroprotective protein ADNP is vital to immune reactions to allergens

Using high-throughput CRISPR screening, researchers in Andrew McKenzie’s group in the LMB’s PNAC Division have identified a previously unknown immune-related role for ADNP and identified the molecular mechanism by which it regulates IL-13 expression in allergic immune responses.
How flies use smell to determine the identity and position of other flies

Researchers from Greg Jefferis’ group in the LMB’s Neurobiology Division have determined the highly specified neural mechanisms which allow Drosophila flies to identify and locate males by scent of a pheromone.
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Latest News
Lori Passmore elected Fellow of Royal Society
Lori Passmore, Group Leader in the LMB’s Structural Studies Division has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, alongside LMB alumnus M. Madan Babu. […]
LMB Lecture on John Kendrew’s personal and scientific life to be given by Paul Wassarman
Paul Wasserman will present his LMB Lecture on ‘The Extraordinary Life and Legacy of Sir John C. Kendrew’ at 4:00PM on Tuesday 9th May. […]
Latest Publications
- Changes in lipid metabolism driven by steroid signalling modulate proteostasis in C. elegans.
Gómez-Escribano, AP., et al.
EMBO Rep 24(6): e55556. (5th June 2023) - Cryo-EM structure of the bacterial divisome core complex and antibiotic target FtsWIQBL.
Käshammer, L., van den Ent, F., Jeffery, M., Jean, NL., Hale, VL., Löwe, J.
Nat Microbiol 8(6): 1149-1159. (1st June 2023) - The CCP4 suite: integrative software for macromolecular crystallography.
Agirre, J., et al.
Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 79(Pt 6): 449-461. (1st June 2023) - The Uso1 globular head interacts with SNAREs to maintain viability even in the absence of the coiled-coil domain.
Bravo-Plaza, I., et al.
Elife 12 [Epub ahead of print]. (30th May 2023) - New SNCA mutation and structures of α-synuclein filaments from juvenile-onset synucleinopathy.
Yang, Y., et al.
Acta Neuropathol 145(5): 561-572. (27th May 2023) - Neuroprotective protein ADNP-dependent histone remodeling complex promotes T helper 2 immune cell differentiation.
Ferreira, ACF., Szeto, ACH., Clark, PA., Crisp, A., Kozik, P., Jolin, HE., McKenzie, ANJ.
Immunity [Epub ahead of print]. (26th May 2023) - New frontiers in quality control: the case of GPI-anchored proteins.
Lemus, L., Hegde, RS., Goder, V.
Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol [Epub ahead of print]. (25th May 2023)
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