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.
Kiyoshi Nagai’s group in the LMB’s Structural Studies Division have used electron cryo-microscopy to solve the structure of the prespliceosome at near-atomic resolution, providing new insights into how the spliceosome is assembled and regulated.
The human genome contains approximately 20,000 genes, which when transcribed produce precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) consisting of coding sequences (exons) and non-coding sequences (introns).
Scientists in Lori Passmore’s group in the LMB’s Structural Studies Division have revealed new mechanistic insights into the link between translation and mRNA decay.
Scientists in Chris Tate’s group in the LMB’s Structural Studies Division have used electron cryo-microscopy to determine the structure of the serotonin receptor coupled to the heterotrimeric G protein Go, providing insights into how receptors bind specific G proteins.
Communication between cells throughout our bodies is vital for our health.
Work from Harvey McMahon’s group in the LMB’s Neurobiology Division has uncovered how a protein, FCHSD2, controls actin polymerisation during endocytosis. Importantly the scientists discovered that FCHSD2 does its job from the area surrounding the site of endocytosis – making it the first description of an endocytic protein which localises to the flat region around endocytic events.
Researchers at the LMB have solved the elusive 3D structure of activated Parkin, an enzyme implicated in early-onset Parkinson’s disease. Led by David Komander’s group in the LMB’s PNAC Division, in collaboration with the LMB’s Biological Mass Spectrometry facility, this new work reveals insights into previously unstudied parts of this important protein and helps explain why families with certain mutations in Parkin suffer from early-onset Parkinson’s disease.
Work by Joe Yeeles’ group in the LMB’s PNAC Division has for the first time revealed the earliest responses when the eukaryotic DNA replication machinery, the replisome, collides with DNA damage.
Every time a cell divides, its DNA must be replicated so that each daughter cell inherits a complete copy of the genome.