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
Functional human replisome reconstituted for the first time

A new study from Joe Yeeles’ group, in the LMB’s PNAC Division, demonstrates the first reconstitution of a functional human replisome that performs fast and efficient DNA replication.
Proteins required for processing the end of mRNAs identified

Lori Passmore’s group in the LMB’s Structural Studies Division has shown that Mpe1 in yeast and RBBP6 in humans are critical for activating CPF and CPSF respectively, protein complexes vital to cleavage process of mRNA.
Quick Links
Latest News
Sjors Scheres is elected Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences
Sjors Scheres, Group Leader and Joint Head of the Structural Studies Division, has been elected into the Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences. […]
Jason Chin elected Fellow of Royal Society
Jason Chin, joint Head of the PNAC Division at the LMB, has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society for his pioneering work reprogramming the genetic code. […]
Latest Publications
- Fast and efficient DNA replication with purified human proteins.
Baris, Y., Taylor, MRG., Aria, V., Yeeles, JTP.
Nature [Epub ahead of print]. (18th May 2022) - Hinge point emergence in mammalian spinal neurulation.
de Goederen, V., Vetter, R., McDole, K., Iber, D.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 119(20): e2117075119. (17th May 2022) - Biophysical Survey of Small-Molecule β-Catenin Inhibitors: A Cautionary Tale.
McCoy, MA., Spicer, D., Wells, N., Hoogewijs, K., Fiedler, M., Baud, MGJ.
J Med Chem [Epub ahead of print]. (17th May 2022) - Hyperphosphorylated tau self-assembles into amorphous aggregates eliciting TLR4-dependent responses.
Meng, JX., et al.
Nat Commun 13(1): 2692. (16th May 2022) - A bioactive phlebovirus-like envelope protein in a hookworm endogenous virus.
Merchant, M., Mata, CP., Liu, Y., Zhai, H., Protasio, AV., Modis, Y.
Sci Adv 8(19): eabj6894. (13th May 2022) - Selective function of the PDZ domain of Dishevelled in noncanonical Wnt signalling.
Mieszczanek, J., Strutt, H., Rutherford, TJ., Strutt, D., Bienz, M., Gammons, MV.
J Cell Sci [Epub ahead of print]. (11th May 2022) - Mpe1 senses the binding of pre-mRNA and controls 3' end processing by CPF.
Rodríguez-Molina, JB., et al.
Mol Cell [Epub ahead of print]. (11th May 2022)
See more Publications