MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
One of the world's leading research institutes, our scientists are working to advance understanding of biological processes at the molecular level - providing the knowledge needed to solve key problems in human health.
Ubiquitylation is a process that marks cell-invading pathogens and non-functional organelles for autophagy. Felix Randow’s group has shown that RNF213 catalyses the ubiquitylation of LPS on invading bacteria. This is the first example for ubiquitylation of a non-protein substrate.
Andres Floto’s group has defined the necessary steps for M. abscessus bacteria to evolve into a human pathogen, suggesting the importance of identifying and treating infections quickly, before more virulent strains can arise.
People infected with SARS-CoV-2 experience a large range in severity of infection. Menna Clatworthy’s group has taken part in the largest study of its type to investigate differences in the immune response that could explain this variation.
Telomerase is a vital enzyme which synthesizes telomeric repeats at eukaryotic chromosome ends to compensate for loss generated by incomplete genome replication. Kelly Nguyen’s group has produced the first atomic structure of the complex and revealed histones as novel subunits.
Repetitive peptides from the C9orf72 gene contribute to the most prevalent form of motor neurone disease, but it has been unclear how. Simon Bullock’s group help show how these peptides bind to both motor proteins and microtubule tracks to block neuronal transport.
The advent of brain organoid technology has enabled scientists to begin to ask what makes us human. Madeline Lancaster’s group has identified differences in early brain development that can help to explain the increased number of neurons in human brains over other apes.